People who gain benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA) may have heard before of the Cost of Living Adjustment, also known as COLA. The COLA has a significant impact on the amount of money that people with Social Security benefits receive, including those who get disability benefits. But what exactly is it, and how does it impact recipients of benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? Continue reading “What is the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)?”
Tag: SSDI
Understanding the Difference Between SSDI and SSI
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) have a lot in common. Both programs are intended to help people with disabilities, and both are administered through the Social Security Administration (SSA). And yet, there are a few key differences between the programs, which affect who is eligible and how much beneficiaries of those programs can receive. Continue reading “Understanding the Difference Between SSDI and SSI”
SSA Removes Waiting Period for ALS Patients
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is set to remove the standard five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applicants with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Removing this waiting period will help ALS patients to receive SSDI benefits more quickly, helping them to deal with their condition. These changes affect any current or future SSDI applicant with ALS who applied for disability benefits as of July 23, 2020. Continue reading “SSA Removes Waiting Period for ALS Patients”
Five Reasons People Have Social Security Disability Claims Denied
Every year, around two million people apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the two major programs for people with disabilities run through the Social Security Administration. However, less than half of these applications make it through the entire application process. Here are five major reasons why people have their applications denied: Continue reading “Five Reasons People Have Social Security Disability Claims Denied”
Applications for SSDI and SSI Down More than Ten Percent in 2020
According to preliminary statistics released by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the total number of applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) went down by more than 10% in 2020, compared to the previous year. This substantial decrease in applications for disability benefits seems to have coincided with the onset of the coronavirus epidemic. In addition, the total number of people receiving SSDI or SSI benefits went down, while the number of benefit terminations went up. Continue reading “Applications for SSDI and SSI Down More than Ten Percent in 2020”
Five Things to Know Before Applying For Disability Benefits
If you have recently suffered from a disability and are looking to apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA), you may be worried and confused. After all, you are already dealing with your disability, without needing the added stress of navigating government bureaucracy. Here are five things you should know before you apply for disability benefits through the SSA, if you want to make things easier for yourself: Continue reading “Five Things to Know Before Applying For Disability Benefits”
Four Factors That Get Considered in an SSDI or SSI Appeal
If you were denied access to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you may be able to appeal that decision to gain access to those benefits. However, the appeals process can be complicated, and its rate of success can depend on a variety of factors. Here are four factors that get considered in SSDI or SSI appeals: Continue reading “Four Factors That Get Considered in an SSDI or SSI Appeal”
When Have You Worked Enough for SSDI?
Anyone who has a disability that makes them unable to work can apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, one of the principle programs under the SSA, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), requires that you prove you worked enough to earn your disability benefits. So how do you know if you have worked enough to be able to receive SSDI, and what happens if you do not meet that minimum criteria? Continue reading “When Have You Worked Enough for SSDI?”
SSA Announces New Teams to Handle Disability Fraud
To deal with the growing issue of Social Security disability fraud, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced four new teams who will be assigned to investigating potentially fraudulent claims. These teams are part of the Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) Units, and specialize in tracking down those who try to take advantage of Social Security benefits they are not entitled to. The goal of the CDI is to reduce fraudulent Social Security claims, which harm actual people with disabilities who struggle to get benefits for themselves. Continue reading “SSA Announces New Teams to Handle Disability Fraud”
Do You Have Enough Work Credits to Qualify for SSDI?
If you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, one of the major issues you will need to worry about is if you have enough work credits. If you do not have sufficient work credits, you may be disqualified from getting SSDI. But what are they, and how do you get enough of them to get SSDI benefits? Continue reading “Do You Have Enough Work Credits to Qualify for SSDI?”
