Those who meet Social Security standards and are entirely handicapped are eligible for long-term protection under the Social Security Disability Program. Only those with the most severe disabilities are intended to profit from it. Go through this website to learn more about the program and how to apply for benefits.
About Social Security Disability Program:
The goal of the Social Security Disability Program is to give those who meet Social Security’s requirements for complete disability long-term protection. Benefits are intended to be restricted to people with the most severe disabilities. It is not a short-term disability plan like workers’ compensation or temporary disability insurance (TDI).
Program Types for Social Security Disability Benefits:
Initially, you need to comprehend the two primary benefit programs that the (SSA) offers to qualified disabled individuals in Texas and around the nation:
- (SSDI): You may be eligible for these disability payments regardless of your assets or income before the commencement of your disability if you have worked long enough and paid enough into the system.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): This needs-based program is available to anybody, including children, who has not contributed to the system long enough to be eligible for SSDI payments.
Therefore, you can still be eligible for SSI payments even if you have not been approved for SSDI benefits. To determine your choices, you should speak with a knowledgeable attorney.
What Is the Social Security Administration (SSA)?
The U.S. government’s Social Security Administration (SSA) is responsible for managing social programs that include retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, among other services. It also oversees the program’s funds and trust fund and grants Social Security numbers.
Instead of having its headquarters in Washington, D.C., like most other U.S. government agencies, the SSA is located in Baltimore, Maryland. The SSA comprises more than 1,230 field offices, six processing facilities, and ten regional offices. It employs more than 60,000 people.
SSA Programs:
The SSA handles the Social Security program. As of March 2024, Americans are only saving 3.2% of their wage for retirement; hence, Social Security is essential to their ability to make long-term plans. According to the SSA, about 68 million Americans—retired professionals, disabled workers, and survivors—will get monthly Social Security payments in 2024. Among the most significant government programs in the world is Social Security.
Payroll taxes paid by employers, workers, and independent contractors finance the benefits. The (OASI) Trust Fund for pensioners and the Disability Insurance Trust Fund (DI) for disability recipients are the two Social Security trust funds that receive tax money.
In addition to managing SSI and supervising retirement and disability compensation programs, the SSA offers a wide range of services, such as Medicare Parts A and B enrollment. It also provides the Social Security numbers (SSNs) needed to get various services from the public and commercial sectors, including hunting permits, credit financing, and insurance.
History of the Social Security Administration:
In 1935, the Social Security Board was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt by signing the Social Security Act into law. The board oversaw public assistance, unemployment benefits, and old age insurance. 1946, the Social Security Board was disbanded, and the recently formed Social Security Administration took over its duties. Until 1994, when it reclaimed its previous status as an autonomous agency, SSA was a Department of Health and Human Services component.
A new Welfare Administration was established in 1963 to oversee the Children’s Bureau, Bureau of Family Services, Special Staff on Aging, and Juvenile Delinquency and Youth Development Staff after the Social Security Administration’s old-age, survivors, and disability program functions were solidified. In 1972, the Supplementary Security Income (SSI) program was established through amendments.
President Biden selected Martin O’Malley as the Social Security Administration Commissioner, and on December 20, 2023, O’Malley took office. As of 2024, the SSA is an autonomous agency. Every year, the Medicare and Social Security trust trustees update the programs’ expected and actual financial standing.
Annual Report from the Social Security Administration:
Every year, the Social Security Boards of Trustees publish a report detailing the agency’s programs’ present and future financial standing. The (OASI) reserves will run out in 2033, according to the Social Security Board of Trustees’ 2024 report, which is consistent with their 2023 forecast. In 2033, payroll tax revenues will only cover 79% of planned benefits.
The Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund is expected to be able to pay 100% of all planned benefits until 2098, according to the 2024 report. According to the report from the previous year, the DI Trust Fund is expected to be able to provide planned benefits until 2097.
Based on the Board of Trustees 2024 conclusions, the combined OASI Trust Fund and the DI Trust Fund referred to as OASDI, are expected to pay 100% of payments until 2035, when the reserves will be exhausted. By then, 83% of benefits would be paid for by ongoing fund income.
The Social Security program, which benefits eligible retirees, disabled individuals, their children, and survivors, is managed by the (SSA). In addition, the SSA issues Social Security numbers, manages Medicare Parts A and B, and oversees the administration of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments.
People who are old or disabled and have little to no income might receive monthly cash payments from Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to assist them in fulfilling their basic requirements. The Social Security retirement and disability payments are not related to this program.
The Social Security card may be replaced by Americans online at the SSA website; no further steps are needed. Additionally, they can complete an application in print and mail it back.
The Social Security Administration oversees, distributes, and manages payments to millions of Americans each year. Individuals and their families may ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to by being aware of the SSA and how it operates.
Social Security Administration Disability Benefits:
You may prepare for your online application or disability interview with the aid of the Disability Starter Kit. Adults and minors under the age of eighteen can purchase kits.
The information in the beginning kits pertains to the papers and data we need from you.
General details on our decision-making process and the disability programs are also included in the kits.
How can I submit a claim for disability benefits?
You can apply for disability compensation in one of two ways. One may:
- Apply online.
- Please make an appointment to submit a disability claim at your local Social Security office by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. You may also schedule a time to have your claim taken over the phone. The interview for a disability claim takes around an hour. If you are hard of hearing, you can access our toll-free TTY line at 1-800-325-0778, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 to 7:00 p.m. If an appointment is made, we will give you a Disability Starter Kit to assist you get ready for your disability claims interview. You may purchase the Disability Starter Kit online at www.ssa.gov/disability.
When you conduct business with us, you can be represented by an attorney or another appropriate individual.
SSA Turned Down My Application. Am I Able to Appeal?
You have the option to challenge the SSA’s denial of your claim. You have just sixty days to submit this request. At every stage of the procedure, we can assist. The appeals procedure often works like this:
- Reconsideration requests are used to challenge an original judgment in most states. The SSA will examine your claim along with any fresh information you submit.
- You and your lawyer may ask for an administrative law judge (ALJ) hearing if the SSA rejects your request for reconsideration or if you reside in a state where one is not required. This is your most excellent opportunity to present your case to the SSA and request that the denial of your benefits be reversed. At this point, attorneys can be very beneficial as they can defend you and prepare you for any inquiries the ALJ may have.
- You can ask the Appeals Council to examine the ALJ’s ruling if it maintains the first ruling. The Council has three options: reverse the ALJ’s ruling, maintain the first ruling, or send your matter back to the ALJ with new instructions.
- If the Appeals Council maintains the ruling, the last avenue of appeal is to ask the Federal Court to reconsider the case.
We can advocate during the appeals procedure and ensure you can receive the assistance you require.