Skip to main content

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: YOU PAID FOR IT - IT IS NOT WELFARE

VIEWING SOCIAL SECURITY AS AN INSURANCE PROGRAM

The Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) program works very much  like other insurance, much like your auto insurance or homeowners insurance policies.  You pay a premium to be covered, then you may file a claim if you meet the terms of the insurance.  So, SSDI is insurance that you have paid for, just like you pay for your auto or homeowners policies.

Here's how it works:

During your working years, you paid into a mandatory government disability insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).  With each paycheck you earned, your employer deducted FICA tax under the (Federal Insurance Contributions Act)--which is the tax that pays for Social Security benefits.  The withholdings are matched dollar-for-dollar by your employer and sent to the Social Security trust funds where they provide disability and retirement insurance coverage for you. After you have paid your FICA taxes long enough, you achieve "insured status" under Social Security insurance.

By paying into the Social Security trust funds out of your wages, you achieve insured status, just like you would by paying the premiums on your auto or homeowners insurance.  If you don't pay in through FICA withholdings you have no Social Security coverage (are not "an insured person).  It's like your other insurance:  if you don't pay the premiums you won't be covered.

But if you have worked enough and recently enough to have "insured status" at Social Security you may file a claim for benefits if you become disabled before your full retirement age.  If you can meet Social Security's definition of "disabled," you can received an insurance benefit from the SSDI trust fund.

So, the two main eligibility requirements for SSDI are:

1.  You have paid a sufficient amount into SSDI and are an "insured person."

2.  You have a medical or mental disability that meets Social Security's requirements for disability.

Thus, Social Security is NOT a type of welfare.  It is a contractual matter between the claimant and the Social Security Administration.  It's something you paid for and earned.   All you have to do is meet the conditions in the policy.  

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASE

What are the top 3 most important factors in a Social Security disability case? 1.  Medical Evidence. 2.  Medical Evidence 3.  Medical Evidence 4-10     Medical Evidence Federal regulations set the eligibility requirements for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits.  A claimant must meet these strict legal requirements More than anything else, the claimant's medical evidence will determine the outcome of the claim or appeal.  Without strong objective medical evidence Social Security cannot legally pay you a benefit. Objective Medical Evidence means the result of medical examinations, laboratory tests or imaging studies (X-rays, PT scans, MRI or CT scans). This type of evidence can only be obtained by going to your doctor. There's an old adage that says truthfully:  "The path to Social Security disability benefits runs straight through your doctor's office."  Being approved for an SSDI benefit requires objective medical proof. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

SOCIAL SECRITY DISABILITY: THE DECISION WRITING PROCESS

  By Charles W. Forsythe - The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) has made a decision on your Social Security disability appeal hearing. The decision must now be sent to to a process called "Decision Writing" - where an attorney or paralegal will draft the formal binding decision, explaining the judge's legal rationale for the decision and explaining the mandatory 5-Step decision making process. The decision writing process translates a judge's ruling into a formal, legally binding document. It is a vital but time-consuming phase that ensures all medical evidence and vocational factors align with the law. A typical written decision will be 10 to 20 pages, thus very detailed.  It takes time to write one. There are many decisions ahead of yours and usually they are written in the order received. The step-by-step process breaks down as follows: The Judge’s Ruling & Instructions:  Following your hearing, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) r...
Post a Comment
Read more

UNDERSTANDING THE 5-STEP SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROCESS

Receiving Social Security disability payments depend on one thing:  Proving that you are not able to work. The one and only thing that SSDI pays for is the physical and/or mental inability to work for a period of at least 12 months.  Who decides if you are able to work?  The Social Security Administration (SSA) will decide.--according to their own strict rules and regulations. In reaching that important decision, are you disabled or not, Social Security must use a 5-step examination process.  It's important to understand these 5 sequential steps. STEP 1:  The work Test .  Is the claimant now engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?  If yes, the claim is denied at Step 1.  They look no further.  You cannot be eligible for SSDI benefits if you are working at SGA, regardles of your medical condition.  (In 2026 you are working at SGA if you earn at least $1,690 per month from work or self-employment). STEP 2.  The Medical Requirem...
Post a Comment
Read more