| How much will the SSA grant in supplemental | | | | benefits? |
| income, and what benefits can you receive? | | | | Each family member may be eligible for a monthly |
| When you or a family member is unable to work | | | | benefit of up to 50% of your disability rate. |
| due to a work-related injury or a severe medical | | | | Adjustments to your benefits: |
| condition, you can apply for Social Security | | | | Your Social Security benefits may change as |
| benefits from the Social Security Administration. | | | | necessary. Your benefits may change or be |
| How soon, and how often, will I receive Social | | | | stopped if: |
| Security disability benefits? | | | | - The cost of living has gone up (in which case, |
| Once your application is approved, you will start | | | | your benefits would increase) |
| receiving benefits in about 6 months. You will | | | | - Your medical condition improves |
| receive your Social Security benefits on a monthly | | | | - There is any change in your ability to work |
| basis. | | | | - You get married or divorced |
| How much will my benefits be? | | | | - Your citizenship changes |
| The amount of your monthly disability benefits is | | | | What may cause my Social Security benefits to |
| based on your average lifetime earnings. You can | | | | be temporarily or permanently stopped? |
| get an estimate of your benefits from the SSA's | | | | - You have an outstanding arrest warrant |
| Benefit Calculator on their website. For guidance, | | | | - You are convicted of a crime |
| below are the 2008 v. 2009 Social Security | | | | - You are also receiving Railroad Retirement |
| disability thresholds: | | | | benefits |
| - 2008: Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) - | | | | - You earn more than $980 or more per month |
| Non-Blind ($940 / month), Blind ($1,570 / month), | | | | ($1,640 if you are blind) |
| Trial Work Period ($670 / month) | | | | - You violate a condition of your probation or |
| - 2009: Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) - | | | | parole |
| Non-Blind ($980 / month), Blind ($1,640 / month), | | | | What may cause my Social Security benefits to |
| Trial Work Period ($700 / month) | | | | be reduced? |
| What kinds of benefits can I get? | | | | Your Social Security disability benefits may be |
| In addition to a monthly amount, you may be | | | | reduced if you receive other government |
| eligible to receive other benefits. Additional Social | | | | benefits. |
| Security benefits that you may be eligible for are: | | | | Your Social Security benefits may be reduced if: |
| - Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you are | | | | - You are receiving workers' compensation |
| 65 or older, blind, or disabled | | | | - You work for an employer that does not |
| - Food stamps | | | | withhold Social Security taxes from your salary |
| - Medicaid | | | | (Windfall Elimination Provision) |
| - Medicare (after 2 years) | | | | - You receive a pension from a federal, state or |
| - Services under the Ticket to Work Program | | | | local government based on work where you did |
| (allows you to go to work to earn more money) | | | | not pay Social Security taxes (Government |
| When do I get Medicare coverage? | | | | Pension Offset) |
| You will get coverage after you have received | | | | Social Security Attorneys and 2009 Social |
| disability benefits for 2 years. | | | | Security Disability: |
| Is my family eligible to receive benefits? | | | | What 2009 Social Security Disability changes will |
| Yes. Certain family members may qualify for | | | | occur? A Social Security Disability attorney is an |
| benefits. They include: | | | | expert on disability law. Hiring a disability lawyer |
| - Your spouse, if he or she is 62 or older | | | | helps improve your chances of winning disability |
| - Your spouse, if he or she is financially supporting | | | | benefits and can impact the speed from date of |
| a child of yours who is either disabled or under | | | | application that you start to receive benefits. If |
| the age of 16 younger | | | | you have questions about the 2009 Social |
| - Your child, if he or she is under the age of 18 | | | | Security Disability application, or if you have a |
| and in school full time | | | | case from a prior year that has not been |
| - Your child, over the age of 18, if he or she has | | | | awarded benefits, consider contacting an |
| a disability that started before age 22 | | | | experienced disability lawyer. |
| How much can a family member receive in | | | | |