Disability Payment Schedule. The date you receive your disability payments depends on two things. First, the date depends on the type of disability benefit you receive. Second, it depends on your birthday. The date you receive benefits does not affect the amount of your benefits.
Types of Disability Benefits
Social Security offers two types of disability benefits. Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI) are available for people who have worked a certain number of years. Under SSDI, you need to earn enough work credits for eligibility. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program. Therefore, your income, assets and resources determine your SSI eligibility.
SSDI Disability Payment Schedule
For SSDI benefits, your birthday determines the date you receive your payments. Social Security follows three schedules to send your payment. Specifically,
If your birthday is on the 1st-10th of a month, SSDI checks or direct deposit will arrive on the second Wednesday of every month.
It is on the 11th-20th of a month, SSDI checks or direct deposit will arrive on the third Wednesday of every month.
On the 21st-31st of a month, SSSDI checks or direct deposit will arrive on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
SSI Disability Payment Schedule
Social Security pays SSI benefits on the first day of each month. It does not matter what day your birthday falls on. If the first of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, Social Security pays your benefits the day before.
SSDI and SSI Combined Disability Payment Schedule
Sometimes, you can receive both SSDI and SSI payments. You may have earned enough credits for SSDI. You may also meet the financial requirements for SSI. However, you must get approved medically for SSDI but receive low monthly payments to receive concurrent benefits. Social Security sends payments for both SSDI and SSI on the third day of the month.
How Long Does it Take to Receive My Disability Payments?
Generally, you may have to wait one to two months after approval before you receive your first payment. In some cases, it can take even longer to get your back payments. Back payments can be delayed depending on how much money you are owed in back pay. The more Social Security has to pay you in back pay, the longer it can take. There may also be delays if you received worker’s compensation benefits.
When Should I Contact Social Security for My Disability Payment Schedule?
Typically, Social Security asks that you wait at least 90 days before contacting them. For quicker results, your disability advocate should contact Social Security. Often, your disability advocate knows the best way to get your payments released. Additionally, they can help provide any additional information Social Security needs to process your payments.
How Will Social Security Send My Disability Payments?
Social Security offers several ways to send your SSDI or SSI payments. For example,
Direct Deposit. This is probably the safest way to receive your payments since they cannot be lost or stolen if deposited directly into your bank account.
The Direct Express Card program. Payments are credited directly to a swipe-able card. You can use this debit card anywhere Debit Mastercards are accepted.
Electronic Transfer Account.
SSDI recipients can still receive their payments by mail. However, you should choose to receive payments through one of Social Security’s preferred methods. That way, you avoid the possibility of lost or stolen checks. Social Security asks that you not contact them about lost checks until the fourth day after the first of the month.
How Often Does Social Security Send My Disability Payments?
Social Security makes disability payments on a monthly basis. Disability payments are made on an accrual basis. This means that the payment you receive for one month represents the benefits owed for the previous month. For example, the payment you receive in February represents the total payment owed for January.
Do I have to pay taxes on my disability payment schedule?
You may have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefit. It depends on your income level. Typically, disability benefits are not usually counted as taxable income. However, there could be some cases where you will end up having to pay taxes on these payments.
For example:
Over $25,000 and less than $34,000 for an individual
A combined income over $32,000 if married and filing jointly
Consequently, for higher income brackets, 85% of your benefits could be taxed, including,
Over $34,000 if single
Over $44,000 if married
Voluntary Tax Withholding for Disability Payment Schedule
Social Security offers voluntary tax withholding from your benefit. You can choose this option by completing Form W-4V. Social Security provides specific percentages to choose from. You can get the form from Social Security. Furthermore you can request the form from the IRS or ask your representative for a copy.
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You can qualify for Social Security disability if you have a medical impairment or combination of medical impairments that keep you from working. Your conditions must keep you from working for at least 12 months. Social Security offers two types of disability benefits. These include Social Security disability insurance benefits and Supplemental Security Income benefits.
Qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits
To qualify for Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI), you must have worked a certain number of years. Additionally, you must be between the ages of 18 and 65 years old. You do not need to be a US citizen to qualify for SSDI. Any worker with a valid Social Security number who paid into Social Security may file for benefits.
Qualifying for Social Security Disability and Work Credits
You receive work credits each year that you work and pay taxes. Generally, you need to earn a total of 20 work credits to qualify for SSDI benefits. However, your work needs to have done recently. Like other insurance programs, your coverage ends after a certain amount of time from when you stop working. Unfortunately, if you stopped working more than five years before filing, you may not currently qualify for Social Security disability insurance benefits.
Qualifying for Social Security Disability and Your Date Last Insured
Your date last insured (DLI) is the last date you can qualify for SSDI benefits. Your DLI depends on when you last worked. Typically, your DLI expires five years after you stop working. However, if your earnings were low or inconsistent, your DLI may be less than five years. For example, if you stopped working in 2020, your DLI would expire in 2025.
Qualifying for Social Security Disability with an Expired Date Last Insured
You may still qualify for SSDI benefits even if your DLI has expired.
Show your disability began before your DLI expired.
Medical evidence that shows you couldn’t work before your DLI.
Example 1: qualifying for Social Security disability with an expired DLI
As an example, Susan stopped working in 2012 when her lupus symptoms interfered with her ability to work. As a result, her DLI expired in 2017. Susan would need to show that her lupus symptoms prevented her from working before 2017.
Qualifying for Social Security Disability: Dependent Spouses and Children
Under SSDI, a disabled individual’s spouse and dependent children can receive partial dependent benefits. Social Security pays benefits in addition to the disabled individual, called auxiliary benefits. Spouses may qualify for additional benefits if they have a child under the age of 16. They may also qualify if they are at least 62 years old. Children may qualify if they are:
Under age 18
A disabled adult before the age of 22
A high school student under the age of 19
Qualifying for Supplemental Security Income Benefits
Unlike SSDI, you do not need to earn any work credits to file for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Social Security bases SSI eligibility on your income, assets and resources. Additionally, both adults and children can file for SSI benefits. For children, Social Security considers their parents’ income, assets and resources. Dependent children or spouses do not receive payments under SSI.
Income Guidelines to Qualify for SSI Disability Benefits
SSI benefits are considered a “means-tested” benefit. Therefore, you must meet certain income guidelines to file. To meet the SSI income requirements,
You must have less than $2,000 in assets (or $3,000 for a couple)
Have a very limited income
Are a US citizen (there are very few exceptions to this)
Example 2: qualifying for SSI
For example, David hasn’t worked in many years. He recently was in a car accident. He suffered from a very serious back injury. David lived with his parents and received food stamps. He did not have any money in his bank account. Since David had very little income and resources, he was able to file for SSI.
Qualifying for SSDI and SSI
Sometimes, you can file for both SSDI and SSI benefits at the same time. You earned enough work credits for SSDI. You also meet the financial requirements for SSI. Commonly, Social Security calls this “concurrent benefits.”
Example 2: qualifying for SSDI and SSI
For example, Janet worked consistently in the past. However, she had to stop working due to her medical conditions. Now that she is no longer working, she doesn’t have any income. Janet applied for state assistance or relies on others for financial help. Janet can file for SSDI because of her work history. Additionally, she can file for SSI because she now has a limited income.
Medically Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits
Social Security also looks at your medical conditions. Social Security considers whether your medical conditions fall under their listing of impairments, known as the Blue Book. Typically, the Blue Book requires that your medical conditions meet very specific requirements. If your condition doesn’t fall under the listings, Social Security will look at what you can still do despite your impairments. Social Security calls this your residual functional capacity. If Social Security determines that your medical conditions keep you from working, they will approve your disability benefits.
Working With a Disability Advocate
Hiring an experienced disability advocate greatly improves your chances of getting approved. A disability advocate will explain both the medical and non-medical rules for qualifying for disability benefits. They can help you file applications and appeals. Most importantly, they prepare you for a hearing if that becomes necessary. Specifically, your disability advocate reviews your file. They also make sure all the necessary medical evidence has been submitted.
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What is a Disabling Condition? Social Security considers any medical condition disabling if it keeps your form working. However, your conditions also must keep you from working for 12 months or longer. Social Security has a list of specific conditions that will automatically qualify you for benefits, known as the “Blue Book.”
Disabling Conditions Under the “Blue Book”
The Blue Book lists different medical conditions that qualify for disability benefits. However, you must meet certain conditions. Generally, the requirements under the Blue Book describe the most severe cases of any condition. The Blue Book generally categorizes conditions by body system or function. Although there is a separate disability listings for adults and children under the age of 18. Above all they also include a listing for growth impairments.
Listing of Medical Impairments
For adults, medical conditions that qualify for disability benefits include:
Musculoskeletal system, special senses and speech, respiratory disorders , cardiovascular disorders
Digestive system disorders, genitourinary disorders, hematological disorders, skin disorders
Endocrine disorders, congenital disorders affecting multiple body systems, neurological disorders, mental disorders, cancer and immune system disorders
Getting Disability on a Diagnosis Alone
Social Security has very few conditions that qualify you for benefits on a diagnosis alone. These include ALS, an organ transplant and certain cancers. Not all cancers will automatically qualify your for benefits.
How do you Meet a Listing Level Impairment?
The Listings of Impairments set out the requirements for how severe the symptoms must be to qualify you for disability benefits.First, your doctor must diagnose you with a disability found under the listings. Second, Social Security needs to review your medical records. They look at your doctors’ treatment notes and test results. If you haven’t had the clinical or laboratory tests required in the listing, you should ask your doctor to perform them.
Example 1: when your disabling condition meets a listing
For example, Donna has degenerative disc disease and herniated discs in her lower back. Donna requires a walker for standing and walking. She has an MRI documenting both the degenerative disc disease and herniated discs. Her treatment records show that she has limited motion in her lower back. She also has muscle weakness, decreased sensation and positive straight-leg raise testing. Her doctors have continued to document these problems in her records. Donna meets the listing under 1.04 for disorders of the spine.
Disabling conditions and medical equivalence
If you do not meet the specific requirements under the Listings, you can medically equal them. Social Security understands that there are many ways to diagnose and document the same illness. Your disability may “equal’ a listing if it does not quite meet all of the requirements under the listing. For example, the listing may require a specific result on a specific lab test. However, you were given a different test that showed the same results. SSA may find that your disability equals the listing. Medical equivalence can be found if:
Your medical impairment is at least equal in severity and duration
But does not quite match the requirements under the listing.
What if your Disabling Condition isn’t in the Listings?
You can still be found disabled if your disability isn’t found in the listings. Social Security can still find you disabled if you can show that your conditions keep you from working. Some examples of other disabling conditions include: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Fibromyalgia; Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome; Reflex sympathetic dystrophy; or Celiac Disease.
What if your Disabling Condition Doesn’t Meet or Equal the Listings?
If your disabling condition doesn’t meet the listings, Social Security considers your residual functional capacity or RFC. Your RFC is what you are able to do despite your medical conditions. An RFC includes both physical and mental limitations. Social Security looks at your medical evidence to determine your RFC. They will also consider RFC forms that are filled out by your doctors.
What Medical Evidence is Considered?
Medical evidence for the period of time that you became disabled and unable to work will be used to determine if you are disabled, it is helpful if your treatment is continuous and ongoing. Firstly, medical evidence can include your treatment notes and physical examinations. Secondly, imaging such as MRIs, x-rays, CT scans or nerve testing. Thirdly, blood work or biopsy results. And, lastly, pulmonary tests or mental health records.
Disabling conditions and your Age
Social Security has special disability rules the older you are. If you are over 50 years old call us immediately to see if you qualify as an older individual. The older you are, the easier it can be to win your case.
For example, Justin, a 57 year old man previously worked as a painter. He needs a cane, applied for disability because he injured his knee, trouble in standing and walking. His medical records include MRIs and x-rays of his knee documenting his injury. His doctors have also documented that he has pain and limited motion of his knee. Since he is over the age of 55, the grid rules allow Social Security to approve his claim.
What Can You Own on Social Security Disability? Social Security offers two types of disability benefits. Under Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI), there are no limitations for income or assets. However, under Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, there are very specific limitations for income, assets and resources.
What You Can Own Under Social Security Disability Insurance?
To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have worked for a certain number of years. Any worker with a valid Social Security number who paid into Social Security may file. Therefore, there are no limits to the amount of assets, cash or resources you own. Additionally, there aren’t any limits to the amount of income you or your spouse makes. Keep in mind that if you are making more than a certain amount by working or in self-employment, you will not qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Social Security defines disability as the inability to work.
What Can You Own on Social Security Disability: Unearned Income?
Unearned income is money that is earned outside of a job. Under SSDI, you can receive income from other sources and still qualify to receive benefits. Examples of unearned income include:
Income from retirement accounts, dividends or stocks
Unemployment benefits
Rental income
Alimony or child support
Example 1: what you can own under SSDI
For example, Sam worked for many years as a cook. He stopped working due to a back injury. He is married and his wife still works. Sam has a retirement account. He also owns and rents another property. Sam earned enough work credits to qualify to apply for SSDI. Therefore, his wife’s income, retirement account and rental property won’t interfere with his ability to file for SSDI.
What Can You Own Under Social Security Disability?
SSI pays monthly benefits for disabled adult and children. It is a needs-based program. Unlike SSDI, Social Security will consider your income, assets and resources. To meet the SSI income requirements,
You must have less than $2,000 in assets (or $3,000 for a couple)
Have a very limited income
Are a US citizen (there are very few exceptions to this)
What counts towards the Social Security Disability asset limits?
Social Security calls assets “resources.” Resources include money but also something that you own and can turn into cash. Resources include:
Cash or any money in a checking or savings account
Life insurance policies, stocks, bonds or retirement accounts
Household goods and personal items over $2,000, including additional motor vehicles (Social Security won’t count one motor vehicle)
Other factors that may affect SSI
Social Security will consider income from your spouse. This is called “deeming income” and applies to spouses earning over $392 per month. If you have children, the threshold increases by $392 for each child. Additionally, Social Security may reduce SSI benefits if you receive free room and board. Social Security can reduce benefits as much as 1/3 for free or reduced room and board. However, if you have a contract promising to repay the value of your room and board, it may be considered a loan and not counted against you.
Example 2: what you can own under SSI
For example, Sara hasn’t worked for many years. She does not have enough work credits to file for SSDI. Sara lives with her parents. She also receives food stamps. Sara can’t work due to severe depression and anxiety. Since Sara’s only income is from food stamps, she can file for SSI.
Example 2: What You Can Own Under Social Security Disability?
As another example, Don also hasn’t worked for several years and he doesn’t have enough work credits to file for SSDI. Don can’t work because he has several medical conditions. However, Don is married and his wife works. Unfortunately, his wife’s income prevents Don from filing for SSI benefits.
What doesn’t count towards the SSI asset limits?
Your home and property
Your car – you can have one car excluded from the asset limits if you need it for transportation
Support payments such as state or local relocation programs, crime victim’s assistance, earned income tax credit payments, grants or scholarships for school and child tax credit payments
Special accounts such as ABLE accounts, PASS savings and IDA savings
Burial savings up to $1,500 in value plus burial plots for your immediate family
Income limits for SSI
Generally, Social Security counts income differently than what you might think. Countable income includes wages from working. It also includes money you get from other sources like money from friends or family or unemployment. It also includes free food or shelter. The income limit for SSI is the federal benefit rate (FBR). The FBR is $783 per month for an individual and $1,175 for a couple in 2020.
Whose Income Counts for Social Security Disability?
Under SSI, Social Security considers the income of people you live with when calculating your countable income. If you live with a spouse, part of your spouse’s income will be included. For disabled children, Social Security counts part of the parents’ income as the child’s own.
What Can You Own on Social Security Disability? How Is Income Counted?
Social Security doesn’t count all income toward the SSI limit. If you are working and need special impairment-related work expenses, you can deduct these expenses from your income. For example, if you need special transportation to get to work, Social Security will deduct the cost from your income. Other types of non-countable income include:
The first $20 of most kinds of income your receive each month
Food stamps
Tax refunds
Public benefits based on need
Loans that you have to repay
Earned Income Exclusions for Social Security Disability?
Social Security will also reduce your countable income with certain income exclusions. Specifically, Social Security excludes the first $0 of income and $65 in earned income. They also deduct one-half of all earnings over $65 per month. For example, if you make $1,500 per month, Social Security will deduct the first $65. Then, Social Security deducts half of the rest of the earnings. It looks like:
$1,500-$20 = $1,480
$1,480-65 = $1,415
$1,415 divided by half = $707.50
$707.50 is under the federal benefit rate of $783. However, your income will be subtracted from the SSI rate. Therefore, you would receive $75.50 per month in SSI benefits.
Under Social Security’s earned income exclusions, you can earn a maximum of $1,650 per month and still qualify for SSI. Generally, a couple can have about $2,400 in earned monthly income and still receive a payment from SSI. Additionally, Social Security won’t count about $7,600 of any disabled student’s yearly income.
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Tips for Getting SSDI Disability. Applying for Social Security disability benefits can be frustrating and takes a lot of time. Unfortunately, Social Security denies a lot of applications. In some cases, it can take several months to years before a case is approved. However, you can follow some tips that can help you.
Tips for Getting SSDI Disability 1: Understanding what you are applying for
Social Security offers two different types of disability benefits. First, Social Security offers disability insurance benefits (SSDI) for people who have worked. You must have earned enough work credits to apply for SSDI benefits. Second, Social Security offers Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for people who meet certain financial requirements. You must be of low income, assets and resources to apply. Both types of benefits require that your medical conditions keep you from working for at least 12 months. You cannot file for SSDI or SSI if you are still working.
Tips for Getting SSDI Disability 2: Understand the disability process
The disability application process can take several months before you receive a decision. Therefore, you should file your application as soon as you can’t work. Your local Social Security office processes your application. However, they do not make any decisions on your claim. Instead, your claim is sent to Disability Determination Services (DDS). DDS assigns a claims adjudicator. The claims adjudicator will:
Gather your medical records
Send you additional forms
Schedule an appointment with a Social Security doctor if necessary
Once DDS receives all of your medical records, a Social Security doctor reviews your file. They determine what you can do despite your medical impairments, known as your residual functional capacity (RFC). Your RFC determines whether you qualify for disability benefits.
Tips for Getting SSDI Disability 3: Be prepared when filing your application
Naturally, disability applications require a lot of information. Providing complete information gives you a better chance of winning your case. Most importantly, you should provide all of your medical treatment information on your application. This should include all doctors you have seen for the conditions interfering with your ability to work. It should also include any emergency room or hospital visits. However, you should only provide treatment information for the time that you have been unable to work.
Providing your work history
You will also need to provide your work history. Social Security only requires your work history for the last 15 years. You should provide a clear description of your past work. Social Security may deny your case if they don’t categorize your past work accurately. This work history should include:
The date you last worked
The name of your previous employers
Your job title
The dates that you approximately worked for each employer
Tips for Getting SSDI Disability 4: Getting your doctor to complete an RFC form
Your treating doctors should complete an RFC form even if you think your medical evidence is strong. Many times, medical records don’t clearly translate how your symptoms cause problems doing things. Your doctor’s RFC form should be as detailed as possible. It should include both physical and mental limitations. A simple statement that you cannot work will not be enough.
Generally, Social Security disability requires that your medical conditions keep you from working at all. However, Social Security uses a chart called the Medical-Vocational guidelines to evaluate your disability claim. These guidelines are known as the “grid rules”. The grid rules make it easier for older people to win their case. Typically, if you are over the age of 50, the grid rules can allow Social Security to approve your case even if you can do other work. The rules are even more favorable if you are over age 55.
Tips for Getting SSDI Disability 6: Stay in Treatment
You must provide proof that your medical conditions interfere with your ability to work. Therefore, you need to see your doctors regularly for your conditions. If you don’t see your doctors, Social Security can’t evaluate your conditions. Additionally, you should follow all recommendations and take medications as prescribed. If you don’t follow your doctors’ recommendations, Social Security could deny your case.
Tips for Getting SSDI Disability 7: Get Treatment with Specialists
Typically, you should be in treatment with specialists. Frequently, records kept by specialists record your symptoms and problems better than a primary doctor. They focus on specific information that Social Security needs to approve your disability benefits. This can include special tests or examinations. It can also include your doctor’s opinion to explain how your conditions impact your functioning. This can especially be true for any mental health impairments. Generally, receiving medication from your primary doctor will not be enough to document your mental health conditions.
Check on the Status of Your Claim
Checking on the status of your claim can be important. It allows you to make sure Social Security handles your case properly. You can check to make sure your doctors’ records were received. You should confirm that they received any forms you completed. Lastly, it ensures that you don’t miss any important deadlines.
Appeal Denials
Tips for Getting SSDI Disability. Social Security often denies claims. You should appeal any denials. Re-filing a new application doesn’t help getting approved for benefits. It only can delay the appeals process. Frequently, Social Security denies you for the same reasons. Your changes for getting approved improve when you appeal an unfavorable decision. In fact, most cases have the best chance for approval at the hearing level.
Work With a Disability Advocate
Navigating the Social Security disability process can be overwhelming and exhausting. Social Security requires a lot of information and paperwork. Working with an experienced disability advocate ensures that Social Security gets the information they need to process your claim. You disability advocate walks you the process and answers all of your questions. They regularly check on the status of your case, files any necessary appeals, valuable advantage at the hearing level.
Disability Help Group, Call Now for a Free Case Review, 800-700-0652
Make sure you start your claim the right way and apply for all the benefits you deserve. Contact us now for a free consultation.
