At Fields Law Firm, our Social Security Disability attorneys know disability laws, and we’re here to help you get the benefits you’re owed from the Social Security Administration (SSA). To learn more about Social Security Disability benefits programs, talk to a member of our legal team today. We’ll take the time to listen to your story and answer your questions.

It costs nothing to get answers to your questions – get a free consultation today!

Types of Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability benefits are available to disabled workers and their children, as well as the spouses and family members of deceased disability recipients. The types of benefits available include:

• Disability Benefits

If you’re suffering from a medical condition that leaves you unable to perform the work you used to do for more than 12 months, or your condition is expected to result in death, you may be eligible for disability benefits.

• Death Benefits

If you’re the surviving family member of a worker who held a job and worked for at least 10 years prior to his or her death, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability death benefits. The compensation paid through these benefits is based on the Social Security retirement benefits your loved one would have been eligible to receive.

• Spousal Benefits

You may be eligible for Social Security Disability spousal benefits if you’re:

• • a surviving spouse who is at least 62 years old.
  • caring for a disabled child or a child under age 16.
  • are divorced and were previously married to someone eligible for disability benefits for at least 10 years, you’re at least 62 years old, and you’re currently unmarried.

• Child Benefits

If you’re a parent who has worked and paid into Social Security and you’re receiving disability benefits, your child may also be eligible for additional benefits. And if you’re a widow or widower receiving death benefits, your child may qualify for benefits in addition to the benefits you’re receiving.

• Medicare

You may be eligible for Medicare if you’re under age 65 and you’ve been approved for Social Security Disability benefits. In most cases, you must also have received disability benefits for at least 24 months, although exceptions apply if you’re suffering from a condition listed on the SSA’s List of Compassionate Allowances.

Disability Benefits Calculator

SSA provides a Social Security Disability benefits calculator to assist in figuring out the amount of disability benefits you are entitled to based on a number of factors.

There are no “standard” amounts for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The monthly benefit amount is based on how much you have paid into the system as a taxpayer. If you have worked consistently and paid taxes, you can expect a disability payment that will help you pay for basic living expense.

The Social Security benefits estimator tools provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) allows you to calculate Social Security benefits for the estimated monthly benefit amount you can expect to receive.

• Quick Calculator: Use this SSA benefits calculator for a general idea of how much you can expect to receive.
• Detailed Calculator: This Social Security Disability calculator requires more input in order to give you a more accurate estimate of what you may receive.

Once you are approved, you may wonder what your actual benefit amount is. Social Security Administration no longer sends out benefit statements. Checking your statement online is the only way to determine your actual benefit amount.

Disability Survivor Benefits

When a worker dies, certain family members may be eligible for Social Security Disability survivor benefits. Disability benefits are based on the earnings record of the person who died. The more the deceased worker paid into SSA, the greater your disability benefit amount will be.

In order to determine the amount of Social Security survivor benefit available the SSA uses the deceased workers’ basic benefit amount and calculates what percentage survivors are entitled to. The percentage depends on the age of the survivors and their relationship to the deceased worker.

• Widow or widower – 65 years or older generally receives full benefits (100% of the worker’s basic benefit amount)
• Widow or widower age 60 to full retirement age, receives around 71-99 percent of the deceased worker’s basic benefit amount
• Dependent parents at age 62 or older
• Widow or widower at any age if he or she has a child under 16, receives 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount
• Unmarried children under 18 or up to age 19 if they are attending elementary or secondary school full time
• Disabled widow or widower as early as age 50

There is a one-time Social Security survivor benefit payment of $255 that can be made to a spouse or minor children when a worker dies if they have worked long enough and you meet certain requirements.

There is also a maximum family survivor benefit that limits the amount paid to family members each month. The limit varies, but it is typically between 150 and 180 percent of the deceased worker’s benefits amount.

If you need help working with Social Security survivor benefits a Social Security survivor benefits attorney at Fields Law can help you understand what benefits are available.

Child SSI Benefits

A child under the age of 18 can be eligible for SSI child disability benefits through Social Security if they meet the SSA’s definition of disability for children. SSI for children with disabilities also depends on the child’s income and resources along with the income and resources of family members living together. If either your child’s or household income and resources are greater than the amount allowed, Social Security will deny your child’s SSI disability application.

SSI Disability for Children Rules:

In order to be eligible for SSI child disability benefits your child must meet all of the following SSA requirements to be considered disabled:

• The child cannot work or earn more than a set monthly amount (the earnings amount changes yearly). If your child is working and has earnings over the maximum amount, SSA will determine your child is not disabled.
• The child must have a physical or mental impairment, or a combination of conditions, that result in “marked and severe functional limitations.” Social Security will look at whether your child’s activities are seriously limited by his or her disability.
• The child’s condition needs to have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months; or be expected to result in death.