After suffering a debilitating injury, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI or SSD) may be a crucial part of your recovery or of living in general. These benefits allow people who have been disabled to lead lives of dignity. Sometimes problems arise as people apply for benefits, and disputes may occur concerning the amount owed, whether it’s the monthly payment or backpay due to delays in payment.
Our Provo, UT lawyers concerns some of the basics regarding SSDI and the amounts received. This should help you get a handle on how much you’ll receive in benefits and what issues you may encounter along the way.
When Do Social Security Benefits Begin?
Social Security disability benefits will begin six months after the date your disability began. For example, if your disability began in June of 2018, your first benefit would be paid for the month of December 2018. That said, you will receive your first payment in January of 2019 since benefits are paid for the previous month; backpay may also apply to this initial payment depending on the length of the process. After two years of disability, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will automatically enroll you in Medicare.
More succinctly stated, Social Security benefits kick in six months after the disability began, with the first payment received seven months after the disability began.
How Much Will I Receive?
The amount you receive can vary, though most recipients of Social Security disability benefits receive between $700 and $1,700 per month. On average, people on Social Security disability receive $1,197.
Does the Nature of My Disability Determine the Amount?
No. The amount received through Social Security disability depends on your lifetime average earnings that are covered by social security. You can get more information by checking your own Social Security statement online. The SSA also has a number of official benefit calculators that can prove quite helpful.
Factors That May Reduce the Amount You Receive
While Social Security disability benefits are quite helpful, those who receive other types of government assistance may receive less than other individuals. The SSA notes that Social Security disability benefits may be reduced if you receive workers’ compensation benefits, public disability benefits, or pensions on work not covers by Social Security. These matters can be addressed through SSA calculators and with directly with a representative for the SSA if you have any questions.
Disputes of Social Security Disability Benefits
There are numerous disputes over eligibility for Social Security disability, as well as the amounts that a person receives in these benefits. Regarding backpay disputes in particular, there may be some questions about how much is received and when the backpay applies to an individual.
Given the bureaucracy involved, the process can be daunting and time-consuming, especially when your primary focus is moving forward with your life and trying to live with dignity.
How a Lawyer Can Help
If you run into any issues or disputes regarding your Social Security disability benefits, it’s important that you contact a lawyer about your problems. They can help breakdown your issue and determine an ideal course of action. The peace of mind provided by a skilled attorney can be invaluable to you as you deal with the SSA. We want to make sure that the system works for the people it’s supposed to help.
Learn More About Social Security Disability Issues
For more information about social security disability benefits and how we can help you with these issues, be sure to contact our team of attorneys today. The lawyers of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton are here to help you in your time of legal need.