How Long Can You Receive Social Security Disability Benefits?
Social security can confuse many people, especially those not close to retirement age. It seems that the rules continue to change each year, and now those eligible for maximum social security benefits must wait until they are 67 years old before retiring, but only if they were born in 1960 or later. How long are payments received? Payments received from Social security are for life, but things can get quite a bit different when talking about social security disability benefits.
SSDI benefits are monitored much more closely and have different rules. It may be confusing to understand, so you may need a top social security disability lawyer Baltimore that can offer you help. The Law Offices of Terri D. Mason can do just that, and we will break down when payments begin, how long they last, and what to expect when enrolled in the program.
When Do SSDI Payments Start?
While a disability is likely to cause you to be unable to work immediately, Social Security disability benefits will not begin for the first five months. In most cases, payments will start during the sixth month of disability, with one exception.
If someone has been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s Disease), then payments will begin immediately due to a new law passed in 2020. Other diseases are included in this program, known as “Compassionate Allowances,” as conditions are guaranteed not to improve. An applicant will need payments immediately due to a lifelong inability to work.
SSDI payments are given out each month, and the day you receive them depends on your birth date. These payments can be made electronically or via check; sometimes, taxes must be paid on benefits. Unlike retirement benefits, SSDI payments are not guaranteed to be paid out for the rest of your life unless you have reached full retirement age.
How Long Does SSDI Last?
There is not a predetermined amount of time that SSDI payments will last. Those receiving payments are subject to review to determine if their disability is still causing them to be unable to work. Those not expected to improve their condition will only be subject to review every seven years.
A disability where it is unclear whether there will be improvement will be reviewed around every three years, while disabilities that are expected to improve can be checked anywhere from six months to 18 months.
A person receiving SSDI payments will be notified when their review is approaching, giving that person time to arrange medical paperwork and provide proof of income if they have been working. A social security office representative then decides whether or not benefit payments will continue.
There are some instances where SSDI payments can be terminated without improving the condition. Those that have returned to earning a monthly salary of at least $1,310 are subject to having their SSDI payments end (for those who are legally blind, the amount is more than doubled at $2,260 per month). That is unless that person was simply trying to see if they could work for a couple of months.
If their disability prevents them from returning to their old duties permanently, payments will not stop. Those arrested and sentenced to over 30 days in jail will see payments terminated.
Note: Those still receiving SSDI payments when they reach full retirement age will have their disability payments converted into retirement benefit payments.
Need a Legal Help from a Disability Lawyer in MD?
Suppose you need social security disability payments. In that case, an attorney can complete your application on your behalf while gathering the proper documents, such as medical records, to ensure your benefits continue. These applications can be complicated and filled with minor details that are easy to overlook.
Our attorneys will ensure that every last detail is correct so that the social security office does not cut or stop your benefits. If you need assistance getting your full benefits — contact the top Social Security disability lawyers in Maryland at the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason today for a free consultation.