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.

Learn how to ask your doctor for help in a way that will support your claim.

If you have strong medical records, you may qualify for disability automatically by meeting the description of an impairment listed in the SSA Blue Book.

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.

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

Social Security attributes some of parents’ income to children for the purpose of deciding SSI eligibility in a process called “deeming.”

You can work as long as your countable income doesn't go above the SSI income limit.

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.

It can take years to get a final decision on your application for Social Security disability benefits.

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

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.

Social Security awards disability benefits to people who have depression or bipolar disorder that is severe enough to keep them from working.

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

If you meet the requirements of a listing set out in Social Security's list of qualifying impairments or show that he or she is unable to work, you may qualify for disability benefits for lupus.

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.

Spinal fusion surgery (also called “arthrodesis”) is often recommended for people suffering from broken vertebrae, spinal weakness, spinal deformities, and chronic lower back pain.

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.

The cost-of-living increase (COLA) raises Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits each year.

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

Here's how you can understand an ALJ's decision denying you Social Security disability benefits.

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.

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."

If the Social Security Administration (SSA) decides that you are not eligible for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, that your current benefits will end, or that the amount of your payment

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

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

If you've received an unfavorable or partially favorable decision after your disability hearing, you should examine the Administrative Law Judge's decision for factual or legal errors.

Disability advocates are experts at helping people with disabilities file their Social Security applications.

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

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

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