Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are benefits that the Social Security Administration pays to disabled individuals with a qualifying medical condition who are “insured.” The Social Security Administration considers those individuals who have worked a qualifying job for a sufficient length of time through which they paid a portion of their salary into the Social Security system to be insured. The amount of benefits received will generally depend upon the individual’s salary and work history.
Often, those who receive SSDI benefits wonder if they might qualify for other types of benefits simultaneously. It’s an important and understandable question to ask. The good news is that there are a variety of other benefits for which you might qualify if you receive SSDI benefits. Let’s take a closer look at some of those benefits together.
A Closer Look at Potential Benefits
Depending upon your unique circumstances, if you receive SSDI benefits, you may also be able to receive a variety of other benefits as well. Some of these benefits include:
- Supplemental Security Income Benefits: The Social Security Administration provides two types of disability benefits – SSDI and SSI benefits. Both types of benefit programs require that the individual receiving the benefits have a qualifying medical condition that has rendered them disabled for one continual calendar year or more. Unlike the case with SSDI benefits, however, SSI beneficiaries do not have to be “insured.” Instead, SSI benefits are intended for those individuals who earn income and resources below a certain threshold established by the Social Security Administration. As a result, it is possible, in certain circumstances, for an individual to receive SSDI and SSI benefits simultaneously if their income is below the threshold. This is known as receiving “concurrent benefits.”
- Medicaid, Medicare, or Other Health Related Benefits: Medicaid is a healthcare program designed to provide medical coverage to low-income adults, dependents, and people with disabilities, among others. Medicare is a federally funded health benefit program typically intended for those over age 65 – although exceptions may be made for younger SSDI recipients. Those who receive SSDI benefits may also be eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, or other federal and state-funded healthcare programs and benefits, depending upon their income level.
- SNAP Benefits: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally funded program formerly known as the Food Stamp program. It was designed to help lower-income families purchase nutritious food for themselves and their families. Those who receive SSDI benefits and meet SNAP’s income requirements may receive both types of benefits simultaneously.
- Tax Benefits: Those who receive SSDI benefits may also be eligible for certain tax benefits, depending upon their unique circumstances. These benefits might include:
- I). Reduced or Waived Income Tax: Those who receive SSDI benefits may be eligible for reduced or waived taxes on that income, provided that their total income totals less than a certain amount. Even those who earn more than the allowable amount will typically still only be taxed on up to 85% of their SSDI benefits.
- II). Earned Income Tax Credit: The EITC is a tax break intended for low-income individuals, including those with disabilities. Depending upon your circumstances, this credit might reduce what you owe in taxes or increase your refund amount.
- III). Other Tax Exemptions or Deductions: Depending upon your circumstances, the IRS might offer various other tax breaks and deductions, as there are a variety available for those with disabilities. As always, consulting with an attorney regarding the benefits and tax breaks you may qualify for will be essential.
Clearly, there are a wide variety of benefits and breaks that may be available to those who are receiving SSDI benefits. This list is by no means exhaustive, however. In addition to the foregoing benefits, those who receive SSDI benefits may be eligible for a number of other benefits as well, including the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), veteran’s benefits, payments from private insurance companies under certain policies, and a variety of other benefits too.
Certainly, entitlement to particular benefits will vary depending on your particular situation. As a result, consulting with an attorney will be essential to ensure that you fully assert your rights. At Liner Legal, we’re here for you.
Experience The Liner Legal Difference
At Liner Legal, we know that when it comes to choosing a legal team to represent you in pursuing disability benefits, you have many choices. That’s why we strive daily to be the best choice. Our talented and experienced team of attorneys knows and understands every aspect of the process of pursuing disability benefits.
You may be only beginning to consider the idea of filing a claim. Perhaps you’re facing a complicated appeals process. Maybe you have questions regarding your current benefits and how changing circumstances might affect those benefits.
Wherever you are in the process, we’ll meet you there, and we’ll help you move forward. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
