North Carolina Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

North Carolina Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program geared toward people with a substantial work history who have developed a disability likely to last at least 12 months or to result in death within 12 months.

Wealth or poverty doesn't matter in the Supplemental Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. A person can have significant savings and possessions, or none at all. All that matters is that a person has worked long enough to be considered "insured" for Social Security purposes (usually five out of the last 10 years for people over the age of 31) and that the person has been disabled — or will be disabled — for at least 12 months. 

The monthly benefit people are allowed under Supplemental Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based solely on the amount of time they've worked and their average income during those years. The Social Security Administration refers to the monthly benefit as a "Primary Insurance Amount" or "PIA." Supplemental Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients or beneficiaries commonly receive Medicare health benefits as well.

Supplemental Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is financed through Social Security taxes (OASDI). To earn Supplemental Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the Social Security Administration (SSA) must determine that a person's medical condition prevents him or her from engaging in a "Substantial Gainful Activity" (SGA), which is defined as work that earns more than a minimal level of income. For both 2009 and 2010, the SGA amount for blind individuals is $1,640 and the SGA amount for non-blind individuals is $980 in 2009 and $1,000 in 2010.

Other forms of Supplemental Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits include:

  • Disabled Widow's and Widower's Benefits - Paid to people who are aged 50 or over who have become disabled within a certain amount of time after the death of their spouse.

  • Disabled Adult Child Benefits — Paid to the disabled children of persons who are deceased or who are drawing Social Security disability or retirement benefits.


In 2008, only 30.5 percent of all Social Security Disability claims nationwide were approved after the initial application with an average waiting period of 106 days (about 3.5 months).  While many of the denials were legitimate, others were due to people not completing the forms completely, accurately or compellingly. An attorney who is certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law might be able to help clients make the strongest case possible for their disability claims.

 

North Carolina Supplemental Security Income (SSI)


Supplemental Security Income (SSI)  is designed to provide a basic income for low-income disabled people who have never been able to work, or who have not worked long enough to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).  Recipients can only have a minimum amount of savings and possessions (what the Social Security Administration calls "countable income and resources”) to qualify, and they must meet certain living arrangements.

The monthly payment a person receives under Supplemental Security Income (SSI) varies up to the maximum federal benefit rate, which may be added to by the state, or decreased due to a personal countable income and resources.  Since Jan. 1, 2008, the federal benefits rate has been $673 a month for individuals. Supplemental Security (SSI) recipients commonly receive Medicaid health benefits. These are not included as countable income and resources.

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program also offers a variety of benefits to children under the age of 18 who are disabled.

In 2008, only 30.5 percent of all Social Security Disability claims nationwide were approved after the initial application with an average waiting period of  106 days (about 3.5 months).  While many of the denials were legitimate, others were due to people not completing the forms completely, accurately or compellingly. An attorney who is certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law might be able to help clients makes the strongest case possible for their disability claims.

 

Presumptive Disability and Compassionate Allowance


While rare, some people will automatically qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) due to a Presumptive Disability, or will have their case qualify for an expedited review under the Compassionate Allowance initiative. These initiatives allow people with the most severe disabilities (about 4 percent of all disability cases) to be approved, at least temporarily, in about 10 days instead of the typical three to five month waiting period.