Which Social Security Benefits Are You Eligible For?
Are you eligible for social security benefits? If so, which ones? The eligibility requirements are complex, and determining whether you qualify can be intensely frustrating. These frequently asked questions will clarify which disability benefits you are eligible for, and how far your benefits will stretch.
Does SSA offer partial disability benefits?
No, you cannot qualify for disability benefits through Social Security if your disability is partial or short term. Social security benefits are available only to applicants who are completely disabled and whose disability is considered likely to last at least a year. (Note that you may continue working while collecting disability benefits if your highest possible income is beneath a certain level.)
I cannot work as long as before or at the same skill level, so although I still have a job, my income has dropped. Is it still possible for me to file for social security benefits?
Yes, you can file for disability benefits if you are making less than a certain amount per month, averaged over a full year. The amount changes annually, so check the official Social Security web site or booklets to find out what the current limit is.
However, be aware that your earnings in your current job are not the only earnings the state agency will take into account. If you can move to another line of work and in so doing raise your income above the approved level, you will not be considered eligible for disability benefits. The state agency will take into account your medical condition, education, skills, work experience, and age when determining whether you could move to another job, so you will not be required to do work that you are not well enough to do or that you have not been trained to do.
My doctors say there is no treatment that can help me, so why do I have to keep going to doctors?
When you first file for social security benefits, the state agency that manages your case will need a complete evaluation of your health, a process that may require repeated doctors visits. The doctors you usually go to may not be able to provide enough information; for example, you may need tests or equipment that your doctor does not have. In that case, the state agency may arrange for you to be examined by another doctor.
Once you are determined to be disabled, you will need regular examinations to determine the progress of your medical condition. Because not all disabling medical conditions are permanent, your health may improve enough for you to work even without active medical care.
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