Social Security Disability Myths BUSTED
Every day, we are bombarded with information.
It can be difficult to separate the truth from the tales that have been passed around from friends, family, social media, news stories, and advertisements.
In this article, we will debunk some of the myths that we, as advocates, tend to hear and explain what Social Security regulations really have to say about them.
Top Disability Myths and Facts
MYTH: Nobody gets approved the first time they apply for SSDI.
FACT: Many applications are indeed denied in the first round–in fact, more initial applications are denied than are approved. However, each year, hundreds of thousands of SSDI applicants are approved in the first round. The important thing to keep in mind is that getting approved for SSDI isn’t like playing the lottery. Your chances of getting approved at the initial application stage depend on a few specific variables, such as the type of claim you’re making and the strength of your application.
Working with an experienced advocate can help ensure that your application is as thorough and effective as possible.
MYTH: You can’t get Social Security disability benefits if you’re working.
FACT: This myth makes sense on the surface since SSDI is intended to provide income for workers who can no longer support themselves due to a disability. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t have any earnings at all, either when you apply for Social Security disability benefits or while you’re receiving benefits.
There are strict limits, though, so it’s important to get complete and accurate information about how earnings will impact your SSDI application and your right to continue collecting benefits.
MYTH: It’s impossible to get SSDI benefits as a young adult.
FACT: The Social Security Administration (SSA) has different expectations for younger workers than older ones when it comes to being able to adapt and retrain if they can no longer perform the type of work they’ve always done. However, a younger worker who has sufficient work credits and is unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) can absolutely qualify for SSD.
At the end of 2024, there were nearly 1.47 million disabled workers under the age of 50 receiving Social Security disability benefits.
MYTH: Getting SSDI depends on whether your condition is listed in the Blue Book.
FACT: The Social Security Blue Book does contain an extensive listing of conditions that may qualify a person for benefits. But, simply having a listed condition isn’t enough–there are specific criteria that must be fulfilled for each. So, people whose conditions are listed in the Blue Book may not qualify. And others may qualify with conditions that are not listed.
The best way to find out whether or not you may be eligible for SSDI based on your medical condition is to speak with an experienced disability benefits advocate.
MYTH: If you are already getting benefits, you can get more if you put in an application.
FACT: If you are eligible for more than one benefit through Social Security (for example, retirement, survivor’s, or disability), you get whatever benefit provides the highest amount; these do not stack on each other. The only reason your benefit amount would increase is the cost-of- living increase (COLA)
MYTH: You will get $4,000 a month if you get your social security disability benefit.
FACT: The amount you receive depends on the amount you paid into Social Security over your lifetime. While the maximum someone can receive in Social Security disability benefits in 2026 is $4,152 a month, this is based on someone who contributed the taxable maximum in each year beginning at age 22 and who will start receiving benefits in 2026. Everyone’s payment amount will be different, and chances are it will not be that maximum number.
The maximum amount you can receive for SSI is capped at $994 a month.
MYTH: I cannot get early retirement from Social Security while waiting for disability.
FACT: If you are age 62 or older, you can apply for early retirement benefits while waiting for a determination of your disability. If your disability is approved, the amount you receive will be reduced for any months that you have already received your early retirement. The payment amount will then increase to the disability amount.
MYTH: There is such a thing as temporary or short term Social Security disability.
FACT: Under SSA regulations, a person must demonstrate permanent and total disability, which means they are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity due to the presence of severe impairment(s). A “severe” impairment is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You must also show that you are unable to return to your past relevant work and/or any other work in the national economy.
MYTH: Alcohol/drug addiction automatically qualifies a person for benefits.
FACT: This is not true. Alcohol and drug addiction do not automatically qualify a person for benefits. To receive benefits, one must have a separate disabling physical or mental condition that would remain disabling once the alcohol/drug use is stopped. In other words, the alcohol/drug use must not materially contribute to or cause the physical or mental impairment. If it does, then SSA will deny the claim. This is known as the “materiality” test.
If you know someone who is struggling with alcohol or drug use, call the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
MYTH: Once I am approved, my case will never be re-reviewed by SSA
FACT: Not true. SSA can conduct a continuing disability review, known as a CDR, which is a periodic evaluation by the SSA to determine if you still qualify for benefits. According to SSA, reviews can be conducted as frequently as every 3 years if medical improvement is expected, or every 5-7 years if improvement is not expected. If SSA finds that you are no longer disabled, your benefits will stop even if you were previously granted disability.
MYTH: There are people who receive benefits immediately and they have nothing wrong with them.
FACT: Social Security takes a serious look at the medical records to determine if a person is eligible for disability benefits. While there are some conditions that do merit an immediate determination of benefits (for example, ALS or kidney disease requiring dialysis), most states are taking six to twelve months or more to make a decision. There must be support in the medical records, and many times, Social Security will send someone to their own doctor for a consultative examination. This process takes time, and a person in good health will not have the medical evidence to support getting Social Security disability benefits. Also, Social Security’s definition of disability differs from that of any other entity (including VA benefits, workers’ compensation, long-term disability, etc), so it is possible someone could receive benefits from some other source. We encourage people to concentrate on their own situation so we can make sure Social Security has the information to make a good decision on their own case.
Disability Help Group Is Here For You
If you’re navigating the Social Security disability process and feeling overwhelmed by conflicting information, you don’t have to do it alone. Our team of experienced advocates can help you separate fact from fiction, ensure your application is accurate, and give you the best chance for approval.
Call us today at 800-800-3332 or click here to schedule a free consultation and take the guesswork out of your Social Security disability claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Security Disability
How much can you receive in Social Security disability benefits?
Your benefit amount depends on how much you paid into the system through payroll taxes during your working years. In 2026, the maximum SSDI payment is $4,152 per month, but most people receive less.
Can you work while applying for SSDI?
In some cases, yes. However, your monthly earnings must stay below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit set by the Social Security Administration. Earning more than that amount can affect eligibility.
How long does it take to get a Social Security disability decision?
Most initial disability decisions take six to twelve months, though timelines vary by state and the complexity of the medical evidence.
What conditions qualify for Social Security disability?
There is no single list that guarantees approval. While the Social Security “Blue Book” lists qualifying medical conditions, applicants must also show that their condition prevents them from performing substantial work for at least 12 months.
Written and Fact Checked by: Matt Sauerwald, President of Disability Help Group, along with Senior Disability Advocates Jennifer Walker and Erica Chitwood.
Together, they have helped thousands of individuals nationwide navigate the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application process. Their team works closely with claimants to clarify Social Security rules, review applications, and help ensure that disability claims are supported with strong medical and vocational evidence.
