Social Security Disability FAQ

FAQs

All Social Security Disability FAQ:

How long do I have to work to qualify for disability benefits?
It depends on your age. In general, you need 20 work credits, or quarter-years, of employment in the 10 years before applying for SSD and during which time you paid…
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Why does Social Security deny some requests for disability benefits?
There are any number of reasons that a claim for disability benefits might be turned down. The most common reasons include lack of medical evidence, a disability that is not…
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If my pay was under the table, can I still receive disability benefits?
It depends. If you never paid FICA payroll taxes, you will probably not be eligible for SSD. However, if some of your income had FICA taxes deducted, you could be…
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Why do I have to wait for five full months before receiving SSD benefits?
The Social Security Administration wants to be sure that the disability is permanent rather than short term.
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Can I get both unemployment benefits and Social Security Disability benefits?
Not really. By applying for unemployment benefits, you are saying that you want to work again. When you apply for disability benefits, you are saying that you can no longer…
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Can I receive VA disability benefits at the same time as SSD benefits?
Yes. The Veterans Administration (VA) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) are two different departments, and receiving benefits from one will not affect benefits from the other.
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Can I receive disability benefits if I have another source of benefits, such as a private pension?
Yes, if you paid payroll taxes (FICA) on the money earned while working at the company with the pension.
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If I am receiving SSD benefits, what happens when I reach retirement age? Can I receive both?
The disability benefit you receive will likely be converted to Social Security retirement benefits when you reach retirement age.
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Can I get workers’ compensation and SSD benefits together?
Yes. However, you cannot exceed 8 percent of your previous wage.
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