Social Security Disability and SSI

How Social Security Judges Your Physical or Mental Capacity (RFC) for Work

Your residual functional capacity (RFC) determines whether you are disabled and should receive disability benefits.

What Is Substantial Gainful Activity (Work) to Social Security?

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

How Social Security Uses a Grid of Medical-Vocational Rules to Decide Disability

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.

How Much Can You Work While Receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) Benefits?

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

Disabilities Covered by Social Security Disability Benefits

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

How Much in Social Security Disability Benefits Can You Get?

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.

Can a Tax Refund Affect SSI Eligibility?

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

Presumptive Disability: Eligibility and Filing

Applying for Social Security disability benefits can be a long and frustrating process.

How Much Will I Get in SSI Disability 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.

The Social Security Consultative Exam: What to Expect

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 in you; relief because you have succ

Filing a Disability Application With Social Security (SSDI)

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

Can I Apply for Social Security Disability While Collecting Unemployment Benefits?

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

How Are Social Security Disability (and SSI) Backpayments Calculated?

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

Should I Be Worried About My Upcoming Disability Review With Social Security?

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?

Are Social Security Disability Benefits Taxed?

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

Getting Disability Benefits for Cancer

A diagnosis of cancer often causes a great deal of fear in affected patients and their families, but whether a patient will qualify for Social Security disability benefits depends on how the diseas

Social Security Disability Benefits for Dyslexia

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

When Can You Get Social Security Disability Benefits for a Heart Condition

If you have a severe heart condition that prevents you from performing full-time work, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

Social Security Disability Benefits for Arthritis

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

Getting Disability Benefits for COPD, Asthma, or Other Respiratory Disorders

Many Social Security disability applicants suffer from breathing problems that prevent them from meeting the demands of full-time employment.