Social Security Disability

About SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE

• Social Security Disability benefits (also called Disability Insurance Benefits or DIB) are for workers covered by the Social Security laws who have contributed adequate quarters of coverage and have worked recently enough to be "insured" for disability benefits.

• DIB benefits may also be available for disabled widows or widowers, depending on their age and the time of the spouse's death. A disabled adult child may also be eligible to receive DIB benefits on the Social Security account of his or her parent.

• The amount of the disability benefit depends upon the person's contributions to the Social Security program. DIB benefits can exceed $1,700.00 per month or can be less than $200.00 per month, depending upon the worker's earnings.

•  If a person is eligible for DIB benefits, his/ her dependent children may also be eligible for additional benefits. In some situations, the spouse may receive additional benefits.

• Medicare is available for persons eligible for DIB benefits. There is a 24 month waiting period from the first month of benefit eligibility. A small premium is deducted from the beneficiary's Social Security check.

• Part-time work may or may not constitute substantial gainful activity, which would possibly disqualify a person from eligibility.  Monthly earnings below an amount set by the Social Security Administration (2008- $940.00 for a non-blind individual; $1570.00 for a blind individual will not disqualify a claim and are not considered SGA.