Social Security Disability Benefits: An Overview
Are you or someone you know unable to work because of serious health problems or a long-term disability? It's tough, especially when money is tight, and you're feeling unwell. But there's hope. The government offers monthly cash help through the Social Security Administration (SSA). This help is called "disability benefits."
What are disability benefits?
Disability benefits are monthly cash payments from the U.S. government for people who cannot work because of long-term health problems or permanent disabilities.
There are two kinds of disability benefits:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): This is for people with little money who are disabled, blind, or over 65 and can’t work full time. This program can help you if you’re struggling to pay for necessities like food and a place to live.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): This is a government insurance program for U.S. workers who become disabled and can no longer work full time. This program is not just for people who are low income. If you work and pay taxes on your income, you may qualify. There are rules about how much work history you need.
How do I know which program I qualify for?
The fastest way to see what help you might get is to use the SSA's online eligibility tool. This tool can help you know how much your monthly payment might be. You can apply for both SSDI and SSI at the same time if you don’t know which program will pay you the highest benefit.
How long until I get benefits?
For very serious conditions, you might get benefits within a few months. But for many people, it can take a year or two between applying for benefits and getting benefits. The good news is, if you eventually qualify, you will get some payment for the time you waited to be approved (often called “back benefits” or “backpay”). Many people get months of back benefits once they are approved.
How much money can I get on Social Security disability?
It depends on whether you get SSI or SSDI benefits.
- SSI: In 2024, the SSI program pays up to $943 a month. This amount changes every year.
- Disability insurance: The amount depends on how long you've worked and how much you've earned. The average monthly payment in 2024 is about $1,600. You will get more if you have a spouse or kids who qualify.
Use the SSA's online tool to estimate your benefits.
How do I apply for Social Security benefits?
There are several steps to applying for benefits. Before applying, it’s a good idea to collect important records and information to make the process smoother. Visit this page to learn more about applying for Social Security disability benefits.
Other frequently asked questions
Many health problems can qualify you for disability benefits. The main rules are that your health problem must last for more than a year or lead to death. Your health problem also must prevent you from working full time. You can learn more about qualifying health problems here.
Note on non-competitive work situations: If you are working full-time at a job created for people with disabilities (sometimes called a “sheltered workshop,” or an “accommodated workplace”) you can still qualify for disability benefits. Full-time work at one of these jobs won't prevent you from qualifying for disability benefits.
Yes, if your child is disabled and you are low income, your child can qualify for SSI benefits based on their disability. Your child may also qualify for SSDI based on your work history, but the rules are complicated. To learn more about benefits for children, refer to the Social Security publication “Benefits for Children.”
You likely qualify if you have worked in the U.S. legally for at least five years. You can sometimes qualify in other situations as well. If you have questions about your eligibility, and you are low income, you can call Oregon's Public Benefits Hotline to get brief legal help.
It depends on your situation, work history, and your expected monthly payment under each program. If you aren't sure what to do, you can apply for multiple programs. If you qualify for more than one, you can participate in the program that pays the most. Use the SSA's tools to see what you're eligible for.
If you have more questions, you can refer to Social Security’s "Disability Benefits” handbook.
If you want to talk to someone, reach out to a private disability attorney for personalized advice. Or, if you’re low income, you can call Oregon’s Public Benefits Hotline for brief legal help.
Remember, dealing with health problems and money worries is tough, but you're not alone. Help is available, and it's okay to ask for it.