Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that provides financial assistance to people with disabilities who are unable to work. The program is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). As social security disability lawyers in Texas, Disability Action Advocates has helped many clients apply for and receive SSDI benefits.

SSDI Benefits

If you have a disability that prevents you from working, you may be eligible for SSDI benefits. To be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must have worked long enough and recently enough to earn enough work credits. Work credits are earned by paying Social Security taxes on your income. The number of credits you need to be eligible for SSDI depends on your age at the time you become disabled.

If you are approved for SSDI benefits, you will receive a monthly payment based on your average earnings over your working life. The amount of your payment will depend on your earnings record and how much Social Security taxes you have paid.

What Other Benefits Can I Get with SSDI?

If you are approved for SSDI benefits, you may also be eligible for Medicare after a waiting period of two years. Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for hospital stays, doctor visits, and other medical expenses.

In addition to Medicare, you may also be eligible for other benefits such as:

  • Prescription drug coverage.

  • Help paying for Medicare premiums.

  • Help paying for other medical expenses.

  • Vocational rehabilitation services to help you return to work.

Disability Action Advocates can help you determine what benefits you may be eligible for and help you apply for them.

SSI vs. SSDI

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and SSDI are both federal disability programs, but they are different in several ways.

SSI is a needs-based program that provides financial assistance to people with disabilities who have limited income and resources. To be eligible for SSI, you must have a disability that meets the SSA's definition of disability and meet certain income and resource limits.

SSDI, on the other hand, is based on your work history and the amount of Social Security taxes you have paid. To be eligible for SSDI, you must have worked long enough and recently enough to earn enough work credits.

SSDI Child Benefits Back Pay

If you are approved for SSDI benefits, your children may also be eligible for benefits. Children under the age of 18 can receive up to half of your SSDI payment, up to a family maximum. In addition, if you were disabled before your children turned 18, they may be eligible for back pay.

The back pay amount will depend on how much you have paid into Social Security taxes during your working years. The social security disability lawyers at Disability Action Advocates can help you determine how much back pay your children may be eligible for and help you apply for it.

How Disability Action Advocates Can Help You

If you're dealing with a Social Security Disability case, even the smallest issues can hold significant weight. That's why working with an SSD lawyer is beneficial. The legal requirements and language can be extensive and stressful, but a professional lawyer can clarify each point of the process for your best chance at a favorable outcome.

Our team provides personalized guidance throughout every step of the process, from filing paperwork to representing you at your hearing. We have helped many clients in Dallas and Fort Worth, and we want to help you too. Contact Disability Action Advocates today for seasoned legal representation that reduces stress and improves upon any weaknesses in your current file.