General Questions About Social Security Disability
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 does Social Security decide if I am disabled?
Social Security has a very strict definition of disability. Your medical condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least one year, or be expected to result in your death. You must be unable to perform any type of work you did in the past 15 years before the onset of your disability, and 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 receive a decision?
It takes about four to five months to get an initial decision. Approximately 60-70 percent of the applications are denied. You can appeal that denial to an Administrative Law Judge. The overall process usually takes longer than a year from the time you file your application until the date of your hearing.
Questions About Applying for Benefits
Can I work while my SSD application is pending?
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.
After my application for SSD benefits is approved, can I continue to work?
Generally, if you work and earn more than $1210 per month, you enter a trial work period. After the trial work period, you can make up to $1,690 ($2,830 if you are blind) a month in 2026.
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 benefits.
Questions About Denials and Appeals
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.
Questions About Working and Other Benefits
Can I receive both Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability?
Yes. In Pennsylvania, if you’re receiving Workers’ Compensation benefits, it may seem that filing for Social Security Disability benefits is unnecessary. Nothing could be further from the truth. For someone who may not work for at least a year, there are significant reasons to consider filing for Social Security Disability benefits, even before workers’ compensation benefits end.
Will I be entitled to health insurance if I am approved for benefits?
Under SSD, Medicare is available after you have received benefits for two 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 in monthly SSI benefits. Medicaid does include prescription coverage.
Will my benefits increase over time?
Yes, Social Security disability benefits increase annually via a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) to match inflation.
Questions about Attorney Costs
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 percent 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
Related Social Security Disability Resources
Speak With a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Pennsylvania
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. Call Quatrini Law Group at 888-534-6016, contact us online or visit one of our local offices and let us help you get started.