If you are experiencing financial difficulties and also have a disability, you may be able to receive government assistance to help alleviate some of your financial strain. Government assistance for those with disabilities comes in the form of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.
To qualify for SSDI benefits, an individual must be younger than 65 years of age, have worked long enough to pay into the Social Security system and have a qualifying disability. Qualifying disabilities are determined by the severity of your disability and how much it impacts your everyday life.
To apply for SSDI, you will need to go through the Social Security Administration (SSA). In your application, you need to provide your Social Security Number, medical proof of your disability and its severity and your personal details, such as name and address.
Medical proof can be an official copy of your medical record or written proof by a doctor who has evaluated your condition. You may also be required to provide proof of laboratory or test results depending on your disability.
If you are approved after filing an application, you will receive monthly Social Security Disability INsurance (SSDI) payments in the form of a check or direct deposit. The amount you receive in SSDI benefits will depend on the lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security.
This amount can range anywhere from $800 a month to $1,800 depending on aforementioned factors. Additionally, if you are receiving any other form of financial assistance for your disability, your SSDI payments may be reduced.
