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Social Security Disability FAQs
How much can I expect to receive in benefits?
I'm receiving other benefits because of my disability. Does this
prevent me from receiving Social Security disability benefits?
What can cause my benefits to stop?
What if I'm working, but not to the extent that I was before? Will
I still receive benefits?
Are my benefits taxed?
What if my claim is denied?
How do I apply for benefits?
When do benefits begin?
How much can I expect to receive in benefits?
The amount is based on your lifetime average earnings as determined by Social
Security. You can get a copy of this record by contacting the SSA offices in
your area.
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I'm receiving other benefits because of my disability.
Does this prevent me from receiving Social Security disability benefits?
Not necessarily, but your benefits can be reduced if you are eligible for
workers' compensation benefits, or benefits from certain federal, state, local
government, civil service, or military disability programs. The general rule is
that your combined payments cannot exceed 80 percent of your average current
earnings before becoming disabled.
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What can cause my benefits to stop?
If your work situation has changed "substantially" (meaning you
receive more than a certain level of earnings per month) or your condition has
improved to the point that you are no longer considered disabled.
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What if I'm working, but not to the extent that I was
before? Will I still receive benefits?
The Social Security Administration have "work incentives" that allow
you to work while receiving benefits. It actually encourages its applicants to
keep working. A general description of each incentive follows:
- Trial Work Period--For nine months you may earn as much as you can without
affecting benefits. After your trial work period ends, your earnings are
evaluated. If your earnings do not average more than a certain (amount
changes with time) level a month, benefits will generally continue. If
earnings average more than a certain level per month, benefits will continue
for a three-month grace period before they stop.
- Extended Period of Eligibility--For 36 months after a successful trial
work period, you may be eligible to receive a monthly benefit without a new
application for any month your earnings drop below a certain level.
- Deductions for Impairment-Related Expenses-Any expenses that are related
to your disability are not counted in your earnings.
- Medicare Continuation--Your Medicare coverage will continue for 39 months
beyond the trial work period.
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Are my benefits taxed?
Normally only those with a very high income get taxed on their benefits. At the
end of the year, you will receive a Social Security Benefit Statement showing
the amount of benefits you have received. This will be used in completing your
taxes for that year.
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What if my claim is denied?
You should contact Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A to have your claim
reviewed. Denial on first time applicants is fairly common. You are entitled to
file an appeal with the SSA. You have 60 days from the time you receive the
decision (starting 5 days from the date it was sent) to file an appeal to the
next level.
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How do I apply for benefits?
You can apply at any Social Security office in your area or it can be done by
mail or phone. This should be done as soon as you become disabled.
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When do benefits begin?
The fifth full month after the disability occurred.
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For more information, visit our page on Social Security Disability.
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