Are SSI and SSDI Both Social Security Disability Benefits?
08/09/09
Q: Can the outcome of a social security disability case be affected by the employment record of an applicant?
A: Past employment is important to your disability case. Determining whether social security disability insurance should be given is in part dependent upon the work a person could do, in spite of his current medical condition. The disability examiner for your case will, therefore, look at your employment record to see the types of work you have performed in the past. Social Security also looks at your previous employment to determine if you might be able to do another kind of job. A social security disability claims examiner uses standard medical vocational principles when evaluating an application. The age of an applicant, academic history and limitations caused by the medical condition are all factored in. This grid helps them decide if a person is capable of doing any of his previous employment or other employment. The medical vocational grid still leaves a lot of room for error. The limitations of a condition and the need for social security disability insurance are very difficult to fit into a simple set of guidelines. The disability examiner has to use his judgment to establish whether an applicant can perform past or other employment at a level to support himself. Your record of previous employment is usually the second most important aspect (next to medical condition) in establishing whether benefits should be awarded.
Q: Are SSDI and SSI the same thing?
A: Both SSI and SSDI are disability programs offered by Social Security, but they are not the same thing. An individual qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), if he has earned the minimum amount of credits through his work history by contributing to social security through his taxable earnings. Individuals who fall below certain income and resource limits can qualify for SSI or Supplemental Security Income benefits. An applicant for SSI need not have been in the workforce for a certain amount of time to be eligible for benefits.
Q: How long does a claim take?
A: If all the required paperwork is submitted and filled out correctly, the average time for a claim to be initially reviewed is 90 days. Lack of medical information is the biggest reason many applications take more time than the average. To lessen the likelihood that your case will take longer than the average, make sure the examiner handling your application has all the necessary items to review your case. If your application was denied social security disability benefits after the first review step, your next steps would be filing for reconsideration and, eventually, an appeal for a hearing. Having a case reconsidered and heard before an administrative judge will make your claim take even longer. A decision on some claims may take a couple years.