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If you are curious about applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you may be wondering, “what are some of the advantages to being on disability?” It’s a legitimate question since, unfortunately, there is a stigma that comes with being disabled. Some people mistakenly believe that receiving disability benefits makes them “less than”, defective, or some type of government “freeloader.” This is completely false.
Advantage: Steady Income to Help Cover Important Expenses
SSDI provides monthly cash benefits to eligible applicants. Those cash benefits can help cover necessary expenses such as housing, food, transportation, and so forth. These stable, monthly SSDI benefits can mean the difference between someone keeping a roof over their head and being homeless. These benefits also provide an invaluable safety net so they do not fall into poverty.
Advantage: Increased Retirement and Survivors’ Benefits
If your SSDI benefits application is approved, it effectively “freezes” your Social Security earnings record. This is important because it can help when you are age-eligible to collect Social Security benefits. For context, the regulations governing the Social Security program stipulate that any years where someone was “wholly or partially” disabled will be excluded when calculating future benefits. Basically, this means the amount of your future Social Security retirement benefits, your dependents’ benefits, or even subsequent disability or survivors’ benefits, may be calculated at a higher amount because those “lost” working years (and associated zero earnings) will not be included in the calculation for future Social Security payouts.
Advantage: Access to Medicare
Access to quality health coverage is another advantage associated with receiving disability benefits. Individuals who receive SSDI benefits for 24 months, regardless of age, may be eligible for health coverage through Medicare, including Part A hospital benefits and Part B medical benefits.
Have Questions About Applying for Disability Benefits? Contact an Experienced Disability Benefits Lawyer Today
If you are considering filing for SSDI benefits and may be feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by the process, reach out to an experienced SSDI benefits lawyer. A knowledgeable SSDI attorney can assist you in putting together the necessary paperwork for your initial application. An SSDI attorney can also help you with an administrative appeal, if necessary. Reach out to Bross & Frankel to talk to an experienced SSDI attorney about your potential SSDI claim.
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