Anyone who has gone through the Social Security disability process knows how hard it is to win disability and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits. Finally getting the benefits is a big relief. But there is more to your benefits than a monthly check.
Show me the money!
Of course, the money is the most important thing. Social Security will decide when you first became disabled, which is your “onset date.” Then they will decide what your back benefit amount is. Usually, you cannot get back benefits before the day you apply for SSI, or for more than a year before you apply for Social Security Disability. You cannot get Social Security Disability benefits until after you have been disabled for five months, so your first five months of back benefits will be SSI. After that, you will get SSI, or disability, or a combination of both. This will depend on how much you have paid into the Social Security system over time. If your back benefit payment is large enough, Social Security will pay you in up to three large checks spread out over time.
If an attorney represented you, the attorney may get some of your back benefits to pay attorney fees. Make sure your attorney gets their part of the back check. If Social Security accidentally gives this money to you, Social Security can ask you to pay the money back later. If you get SSI, and you owe people or agencies money you borrowed to pay your living expenses while your case was on appeal, let Social Security know. If you get SSI you also need to spend down the back benefits below the resource limit within nine months.
Does anyone else get paid?
Sometimes. Be sure to ask Social Security if your spouse or children are entitled to benefits off your account. If you are paying child support, the Social Security benefits your children get may cover your support obligation, but only if you modify the child support order. If you have a caretaker, have them talk to DHS to see if they are entitled to any state money for caring for you. While most debt collectors cannot garnish Social Security benefits, you can be garnished to pay money you owe to the government, such as back taxes or federal student loans, and money you owe for child or spousal support.
Do I get any medical benefits?
Yes. Your Medicare coverage does not begin until you have been disabled for 24 months. Medicare will cover 80% of many medical expenses. If you get SSI, you will also be eligible for Medicaid. If you do not get SSI, you may still be eligible for Medicaid depending on your household income. You can learn more about Medicaid eligibility in Iowa and how to apply at: https://hhs.iowa.gov/ime/members/who-receives-medicaid
If your household income is too high, you can also be eligible for a Medicare Supplement insurance policy. More information about those options is available at: https://shiip.iowa.gov/understand-coverage/supplemental-insurance
You may also be eligible for low-cost medical insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or “Obamacare”). You can learn more about these options on the ACA website, at:
https://www.healthcare.gov/people-with-disabilities/ssdi-and-medicare
Now that I am disabled, will Social Security ever look at my case again?
They probably will. Many disabilities are not permanent. Social Security will look at your file every now and then to see if you are still disabled. It is important to keep seeing your doctors and following through with treatment while you get benefits. If you stop getting treatment, it may look like you are no longer disabled. If Social Security reviews your case and says you are not disabled any more, you have the right to appeal. If you believe you are still disabled, and you appeal the decision within ten days, your benefits will continue during the appeal. However, if you do not win your appeal, you might be asked to pay those benefits back.
What if I get better and want to try going back to work again?
Social Security has a lot of information on work incentive programs if you want to try to work. For more information on Social Security work incentive programs, call 1-800-772-1213, or toll free TDD service at 1-800-325-0778 from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., on business days. You can also always contact your local Social Security office.
If you do work, it is very important to report any employment income to Social Security every paycheck or at least every month. If you do not do this, you may wind up with a benefit overpayment. Social Security has several options for reporting your income. You can use the automated toll-free SSI Telephone Wage Reporting Service, the free SSI Mobile Wage Reporting Smartphone app, or the “my Social Security” online wage reporting tool. Information about all of these is available through your local Social Security office or on the https://www.ssa.gov/ website.