Social Security Disability and SSI

A severe physical or mental condition may qualify you for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

To collect Social Security disability benefits, your condition must meet the legal definition of a disability.

You can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if your mental illness keeps you from working full-time.

Learn what our survey results showed about your chances of being approved, how long the process takes, whether a lawyer helps, and how much lawyers charge.

To get disability benefits from SSI, you can't have much income or assets, though Social Security gives you some breaks when counting your income.

Your residual functional capacity (RFC) is an important part of a Social Security disability determination.

Substantial gainful activity is the level of work that a person without a disability can do.

If you are 50 years old or older when applying for Social Security disability, it may be easier for you to get approved for disability benefits than it is for a younger person.

You can test out your ability to work while collecting Social Security disability without losing your benefits.

To collect Social Security disability benefits, your condition must meet the legal definition of a disability.

How much your SSDI (Social Security disability) benefit will be is based on your lifetime earnings. Here's how Social Security calculates your SSDI payment.

Social Security will ignore your federal tax refund for 12 months; after that, if you have too much money, you could lose your SSI benefits.

Applying for Social Security disability benefits can be a long and frustrating process, but some SSI applicants can qualify fort immediate benefits.

The amount of your monthly SSI check will depend on whether you're single or married, live alone or with others, and have other income or not.

That call from the Social Security Administration (SSA) asking you to appear for a consultative examination (CE) can bring in both a sense of relief and concern.

To apply for disability benefits from the federal government, you can either go to your local Social Security office, call 800-772-1213, or file online.

Collecting unemployment benefits is a factor that judges can consider when they’re deciding your disability case.

Dyslexia, also called developmental reading disorder (DRD), is broadly defined as a learning disability that affects a person’s reading comprehension.

Whether or not you'll get Social Security disability for a serious heart condition depends on the specific symptoms and limitations in your medical records.

Osteoarthritis can be disabling whether it's in your hands, wrists, knees, hips, or back.

If you have severe symptoms of asthma or COPD that keep you out of work for at least one year, you may qualify for disability.

Most people who are approved for Social Security disability benefits receive a substantial amount of backpay. Learn how much you might get.

Question: I have been receiving disability for seven years and have received a letter saying Social Security does routine audits every three to seven years. Should I be concerned?

Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) can be subject to tax, but most people don't pay taxes on them because they don't have much other income.

How to tell whether your claim for SSDI or SSI disability benefits will be denied or approved.

If you're applying for disability benefits but not complying with the medical treatment prescribed by your doctor, Social Security may be able to deny your claim for "treatment non-compliance."

Many disability applicants are surprised to learn that their disability claims have been denied even though Social Security agrees that they're unable to return to any of their past jobs.

Don't get tripped up by these common pitfalls at your disability hearing.

Learn how to write an effective disability appeal letter, including what to say and how to say it.

Social Security provides several methods for you to conduct your disability hearing. Find out which one is best for you.

If you've received a disability denial, there are benefits to appealing instead of reapplying.

Disability lawyers generally cost about a quarter of your SSDI or SSI back payments—if you win.

If you think you won't be able to work for a long time, consider a consultation with a Social Security disability lawyer.

Asking the right questions will ensure you find a qualified, experienced, and ethical disability attorney.