FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY

At the Pennsylvania law firm of Quatrini, Rafferty & Galloway, our staff handles several hundred Social Security cases per year. In the course of our representation, there are questions that repeatedly arise. Here are some questions that we hear most often:

What is the difference between SSD and SSI?

The Social Security Administration pays disability benefits under two programs. Social Security Disability (SSD) are benefits paid to disabled workers and their families. SSD benefits are determined by the work you've done and the money you've paid into the Social Security system. Your SSD benefits are calculated from your earnings.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are benefits paid to a disabled individual who qualifies financially due to a lack of resources and income and who has no significant work history.

How will Social Security decide if I am disabled?

• your medical condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, 1 year, or be expected to result in your death
• you must be unable to perform any type of work you did in the 15 years before the onset of your disability
• you must be unable to perform any other type of work on a full time basis because of your medical condition

How long does it take to get a decision?

It takes about 4 to 5 months to get an initial decision. Approximately 64 percent of the applications are denied. You can appeal that denial to an Administrative Law Judge. The overall process can take a year or longer from the time you file your application until the date of your hearing.

If I am already receiving another type of disability payment, can I automatically get Social Security benefits?

No. Social Security disability laws differ from the rules governing most other programs. Entitlement to workers' compensation benefits, short-term disability, long-term disability or a private disability pension does not automatically entitle you to Social Security.

My neighbor is getting benefits for a condition similar to mine; why can't I?

Every case is different and is individually evaluated based on age, education and work experience. You should not compare your case with another case.

Will I be entitled to health insurance if I am approved for benefits?

Under SSD, Medicare is available after you have received benefits for 2 years. At this time, there is virtually no prescription coverage available to SSD recipients.

Under SSI, Medicaid is available for those receiving at least $1.00 in monthly SSI benefits. Medicaid does include prescription coverage.

While my application for SSD benefits is pending, can I work?

There are many factors involved in this decision. Any work you do while filing for benefits will be examined closely by the Social Security Administration. Deciding whether work will adversely affect your case depends on the type of work you do, the hours of work and your rate of pay.

Generally, if you work and earn more than $590 per month, you enter into a Trial Work Period. After the Trial Work Period, if you earn more than $830 per month, your benefits will end.

Will I ever receive an increase in my Social Security benefits?

SSD and SSI benefits increase each year based on the cost of living increase (in 2005, this increase was 2.7 percent).

How much will it cost for you to handle my claim?

There is no fee for our services in your SSD or SSI case until we are successful in obtaining benefits for you. If we are successful, the Social Security Administration generally allows a fee of 25% of the past due benefits in your case, up to a specified maximum amount. Under some special circumstances, an hourly fee may instead be charged, but all fees must be approved by the Social Security Administration.

For more information on Social Security please visit our Social Security Information Center.

If you are unable to work and believe that your disability may be long term in nature, having an attorney to represent you through the process of filing for Social Security Disability does increase your chances for success. Contact Quatrini Rafferty Galloway at our Greensburg offices today and let us help you get started.