1. I’m a young person. Is it impossible for me to be approved for Social Security benefits?
Absolutely not. Although proving that a young person is disabled is generally harder than proving that an older person is disabled, if your impairment is severe enough and you are genuinely unable to do any past work or to be retrained to do new work, you have a good chance of getting benefits.
2. I’m an older person. Does this mean it will be easier for me to get Social Security benefits?
Not necessarily. You still must show that you have a severe impairment that prevents you from doing past work.
3. I was injured on the job and I’m getting Worker’s Compensation payments. Can I receive Social Security disability benefits too?
Yes, most likely, if you are approved for Disability Insurance benefits. However, your benefit amount may be reduced depending on how much you receive in Worker’s Compensation payments.You will most likely not be able to receive Supplemental Security Income if you are receiving Worker’s Compensation payments. However, this depends on the amount you receive.
4. So I’m not completely disabled. I’ve been declared 60% disabled by someone else. Can I get partial social security benefits?
No. With social security benefits, it’s all or nothing. You are either disabled or not disabled. However, if your condition keeps you from doing any past work or any other kind of full-time work, you are disabled by Social Security’s standards.
5. I’m receiving private insurance and/or disability benefits. Will that reduce my Social Security disability payments?
If you are receiving Disability Insurance Benefits, any sort of private insurance, long/short-term disability or military disability will not reduce the amount of your Social Security benefit.However, if you are receiving Supplemental Security Income, the amount you receive from any other disability payment source will reduce your SSI payment.
If you have a question about Social Security Disability that you need answered, please e-mail Blair at blair@lawyernc.com.
