In order to qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits, you must have a qualifying disability, have zero or very little monthly income and your Resources and Assets must be valued less than the allowable amount. In 2011 the allowable amount for resources and assets is $2000 for individuals and $3000 for married couples.
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Disability Requirements
Hank, in Long Beach California, asks “My mother just passed away and I received an inheritance. Will this affect my Social Security Disability benefits?”
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are not impacted by assets, inheritance, or other unearned income. Your SSDI benefits are based upon your work history and the amount of taxes you paid into Social Security. Only income that is earned from working, can affect your SSDI benefits once your Trial Work Period time has been met.
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Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is a term that is used by the Social Security Administration and Disability Determination Services (DDS) when referring to any work performed or intended for pay or profit by a person who is applying for disability benefits. The work must involve doing significant and productive physical or mental duties. When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is one of the factors that will be used to determine your eligibility for disability benefits. Basically, if you are earning income from employment that exceeds a certain amount, then you may not qualify for disability benefits.
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Yes, just like adults, children can qualify for disability benefits. However, the requirements are slightly different for children and adults.
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Brad, in San Diego, California asks “I was scheduled for a social security medical exam for my SSDI case; I was not able to make the appointment because of car trouble. What should I do?”
After you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, it is not uncommon for the examiner at Disability Determination Services (DDS) to schedule you for a medical exam, or consultative exam. This exam is performed by a doctor in a private practice; he/she is not a Social Security employee. Consultative exams are usually very brief and tend to last less than 15 minutes.
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Travis, from Vista, California, asks “is it alright if I am working while applying for disability benefits?”
Yes, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will allow you to work while you are applying for, or receiving disability benefits as long as your monthly earned income does not exceed the SGA limit. This applies to both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
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When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits you may receive a letter in the mail informing you that you have an appointment for a consultative examination (CE). Many people refer to a CE as a Social Security medical exam.
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When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) your claim will be evaluated based on the contents of your medical records. If your medical records are out of date or do not fully address your disability, you might be denied disability benefits.
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When you apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Social Security Administration sends your application to Disability Determination Services (DDS). DDS is a state agency that is responsible for making disability determinations for the Social Security Administration. When they receive your application, the DDS will assign it to one of their examiners. So, a DDS examiner is responsible for deciding if your medical condition (mental or physical) qualifies you for disability benefits.
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