SSDI Benefits: 1.3 Million Americans Missing Out - Are You Eligible?

Over one million Americans with disabilities are not getting SSDI benefits that they may qualify for, according to research.

One assistant professor at the Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare, Zachary Morris, analyzed data between ages 50 and 64 who have working facilities. He found out that just 47% of those get Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, or both, as reported by KATU 2.

Morris noted that he thinks 1.35 million people are missing out on SSDI benefits, which he described as "really important gateways to health insurance for people," including SSI.

Despite the 47% of people getting SSDI benefits, it was an increase from 32% in the late 1990s and is in line with what is happening in other countries.

Morris's research looked at data from 2016, noting that a lot has changed since then.

Morris believes the pandemic had exacerbated some of the aspects of SSA such as understaffing and increase in number of people experiencing disabilities due to long COVID.

The researcher noted he wanted to see more funding to help with the staffing shortages and to speed up the disability determination process.

SSDI Eligibility

SSDI benefits provide assistance payments to people with disabilities and meet the Social Security Administration's eligibility requirements.

Certain family members can also qualify if you are "insured," which would mean that you have worked long enough and recently enough while also having paid Social Security taxes on your earnings.

To qualify for SSDI payments, applicants must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security and have a medical condition that meets SSA's definition of disability.

Social Security work credits depend on the wages and self-employment income. With each employment year, beneficiaries can earn four work credits.

The required work credit changes every year, with the work credit this year worth $1,640 in wages or self-employment income to earn one credit.

Those earning $6,560 can earn four credits for the year.

Meanwhile, the agency defines disability as an inability to work and engage in substantial gainful activity due to a person's medical condition; or cannot do work previously done due to a medical condition.

The SSA also defines disability as having a condition lasting or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.

SSDI Payments

The National Council on Aging noted that the average monthly benefit for SSDI payments is worth $1,688 as of December 2022.

The maximum monthly benefit for SSDI payments is worth $3,636 in 2023 based on the individual's work history.

Those receiving SSDI payments automatically qualify for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period from the time benefits start.

The benefits' distribution start with the first full month after the date SSA decides the disability started.

The agency usually processes applications for SSDI benefits and SSI within three to five months from the date of application.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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