CONCURRENT DISABILITY BENEFITS
WHAT ARE CONCURRENT DISABILITY BENEFITS?
The SSA has concurrent benefits that you can apply for: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI is available to you if you have worked and paid your taxes into the Social Security system. The amount you are paid in SSDI benefits comes from your personal work record. Therefore, since every person earns different amounts, each person gets a different amount of money.
SSI benefits, by contrast, is a “needs based” program. SSI payments are available to disabled individuals who have low or no income, blind, or elderly people. The federal amount of SSI payment you receive each month is set by the government. Currently, that payment is $943 a month.
There are differences between the two programs. However, both require you to have a severe medical condition that keeps you from working for over 12 months.
When you hear the term concurrent benefits, it means that a person is being paid both SSDI and SSI benefits. However, SSI benefits are offset by SSDI payments. Therefore, if you receive concurrent benefits, then your SSDI payment is lower than the amount of an SSI payment. For example, pretend that your SSDI payment is $600 a month. If your income and asset level is low, then SSI payments kick in to bring you to $943 a month. Therefore, you would get a supplement of $343 a month in SSI payments. Your grand total of concurrent benefits would then be $943 a month.
HOW CAN YOU GET SSDI AND SSI BENEFITS AT THE SAME TIME?
In order to win SSDI and SSI benefits, you must have a severe medical condition that keeps you from working for over one year. When you apply for SSD benefits online, you can apply for both SSDI and SSI benefits. You only need to check the boxes that indicate SSDI and SSI. If your income and assets are low enough to qualify for SSI and you also have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI, then you might receive both benefits.
You apply in person, or over the phone, or online. Applying online is the easiest way to begin your application for benefits.
A state agency, Disability Determination Services (DDS), will process your application. Disability is defined the same way for both SSDI and SSI claims. Each claim for benefits is subject to a five step Social Security review process.
Both SSDI and SSI benefits are tied to the date you file your application. Therefore, the longer you wait to file, the more money you lose. Here are three ways to apply:
- Online: You can apply online at the Social Security website.
- Telephone: You can apply over the telephone by calling the SSA’s customer service line at 1-800-772-1213.
- In person: You can apply in person at your local Social Security field office.
The SSA will look at your income and assets and decide if you qualify for SSI benefits. Next, the SSA will look at your work credits to see if you qualify for SSDI benefits. If your SSDI benefits are below $943, then you may qualify for both benefits. Learn the secrets your attorney knows about filing for SSD benefits.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU QUALIFY FOR CONCURRENT BENEFITS?
You might not always know if you qualify for both benefits. Most people don’t even know how much money their SSDI payment will be. You can look up this information by creating a MySSA account on Social Security’s website.
Once you create your account it will show your earnings every year since you started to work. It will also tell you how much money you will receive if you qualify for SSDI payments. The paragraph will go something like this: “If you became disabled today, you would receive $600 per month.” The SSDI payment amount is directly tied to you earnings record.
If you SSDI payment is less than $943, then you might qualify for SSI payments. The SSI payment is in addition to your SSDI payment. Using the same example as above, if you receive $600 in SSDI, then your SSI payment will be $343. That bring you up to the $943 federal SSI amount. Keep in mind that some states have higher SSI amounts. Therefore, your benefit may be higher than the federal amount.
If your SSDI amount is higher than $943 a month, then you won’t qualify for SSI benefits. Except, possibly during your five month waiting period. Every person who receives SSDI benefits must wait five months from their alleged onset date of disability to begin payments. If you meet SSI’s income and asset rules, then you could get SSI payments during the five month waiting period. After that, you would receive your SSDI payment on a monthly basis.
CAN YOU GET CONCURRENT PAST DUE BENEFITS?
Once you win SSDI and SSI payments, then you are also likely to win concurrent past due benefits.
Past due benefits are payable because it can take up to two years to win benefits. However, past due benefits are tied to the date of your application. SSDI payments can go back one year prior to the date of your application. But they only go back as long as you were not working. SSI benefits are different. They begin on the date of application. Therefore, it is important to file your SSD application as soon as you know you cannot work.
Hiring an attorney to help you file your application for benefits is a smart idea. They can assure that you receive all of your ongoing and past due benefits. That includes any concurrent benefits that are due to you.
It is likely that you will receive a denial after you apply for SSDI and SSI benefits. Almost 80% of claims are denied at each level of appeal. Therefore, it is important for you to expect a denial and to appeal within the 60 day time frame. Your goal in filing an appeal is to move to the next level of review. Eventually, you will have a hearing before a judge. The judge should be objective. It is their job to weigh your testimony, the medical records, and the SSA’s findings to reach a decision.
IF YOU RECEIVE A DENIAL FOR CONCURRENT BENEFITS, THEN APPEAL
If you receive a denial of your SSDI and SSI claim, then it could be for two reasons. First, you can receive a medical denial. This means that your medical condition does not meet the standard for disability. You should appeal this denial within 60 days. Second, you can receive a technical denial. A technical denial means that you:
- 1) do not have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI benefits or
- 2) you do not meet the income and asset rules for SSI
If your receive a technical denial, then the SSA will still proceed with the other portion of your claim. For example, you might receive a technical denial for SSI benefits because or your assets. If so, then the SSA will proceed with your SSDI claim. Likewise, if you receive a technical denial for SSDI benefits, it means that you do not have enough work credits. Therefore, you do not qualify for SSDI benefits. However, you still might qualify for SSI benefits. The SSI claim will go on as long as you appeal.
The other thing to remember about SSI claims is that if your circumstances change, then let the SSA know. For example, if you get a divorce while your claim for SSDI is pending, then your financial resources might change. This might make you technically eligible for SSI benefits. Let the SSA know, so that they can evaluate whether you now qualify for SSI benefits. Finally, always appeal any SSA decision within the 60 day time frame.
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID BENEFITS
Another great thing about winning concurrent benefits is being able to receive health insurance through Medicare or Medicaid. If you qualify for SSDI benefits, then you might get Medicare. Medicare benefits begin after a 29 month waiting period. The waiting period includes your 5 month waiting period and a 24 month waiting period. Medicare is the same health insurance you receive when you retire. Most doctors accept Medicare as payment. Learn more information about Medicare benefits.
If you qualify for SSI benefits, then you also qualify for Medicaid benefits. If you receive concurrent benefits, which includes SSI, then you qualify for Medicaid in most states.
Both the Medicare and Medicaid programs are a form of health insurance. In most states, Medicaid provides payment for more services than Medicare. For example, Medicaid usually covers medications. Medicaid also does not have a co-pay to receive care. Learn information about Medicaid benefits.
WE OFFER A FREE REVIEW OF YOUR BENEFITS
If you need help filing for benefits, then reach out to our Social Security law firm. Taking the first step by calling us. We offer a free review of your concurrent benefits. What that means is that you can call us and explain your situation. At that point, we will look at the merits of your case for free. Then, we will let you know if you have a chance to win. Also, we will let you know if we can represent you. We do not charge you for our review of your case.
When you call, be aware that we don’t take every case that calls our office. We take the cases that have a chance to win. Sometimes, there are other factors that prevent us from taking your case. However, we will try to help you. In the past 30 years, we have won over $100 million in SSDI and SSI benefits for our clients. We are experts at what we do. Therefore, we want to make this process easier for you. Hire us to be your Social Security legal team.
We help clients win benefits in many states, including Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and California. Find out more about your benefits and how to apply in your state below:
- California SSDI and SSI benefits
- Colorado SSDI and SSI benefit information
- Idaho SSDI and SSI benefits
- Nevada SSDI and SSI benefits
- Utah SSDI and SSI benefits
No matter where you live, we want to be your legal team. Hire the best Social Security legal team with no money down. Also, there will be no attorney fee unless we win your case. Contact us today. We will do our best to help you win your benefits.
HIRE THE BEST SSD LAWYERS TO WIN BENEFITS
At our SSD law firm, we are experts in winning concurrent benefits. If you want to learn more about our lawyers and staff, then read our About Us Page.
In the last 30 years, we have won over 20,000 cases for our clients. If you need help filing for benefits, then contact our office. We can also help you appeal a denial from the SSA. Learn more information about what it costs to hire us by reading our article, “Attorney Fees in SSD Cases.”
When you contact our office for help, be ready to give us some basic facts about your case. We will need to know your date of birth. Also, we need your wedding date and divorce date. Also, we need to know the date you last worked. Additionally, we will need to know the names, address and phone numbers of your doctors.
The Social Security application also asks basic information about your family and your children. If you have a child under the age of 18, make sure to put their name on your application. If you don’t, then they may not be able to receive benefits. Even if you divorce and your children live with your ex, the children can still get payments. The children receive a monthly payment on your work record. Learn more about divorce and SSD benefits.
Also, on the application you will also need to list your jobs and what you did at each job. The SSA needs to know this information in order to process your application. Did you previously file an application for SSDI and SSI benefits? Then don’t forget to request that the SSA reopen your old application.
WORK WITH OUR LEGAL TEAM TO FILE FOR CONCURRENT BENEFITS
Obviously, we cannot file for SSDI and SSI benefits without your help. As your legal team, we need to work together. We may be experts at SSD law, but you are the expert about your life.
Also, we need to know why you cannot work. Then, you need to describe the symptoms of your illness. For example, there are many forms you need to complete for the SSA. Forms such as the Activities of Daily Living Form. First, complete the forms in pencil. If you need help with the form, then call. We will help you. If you make a mistake, then you can erase it and fix the mistake.
After we file your application, we will collect your medical records. We will need your help to collect your records. You provide the names of your doctors. If you don’t give us the information about your doctors, then we can’t contact them for you.
After we file your SSD and SSI application in Utah, we will position your case to win. If you receive a denial at the initial phase, then we will appeal it. If you are denied again, then we will request a hearing with an SSA judge. Finally, we will represent you at your hearing. Also, we will submit your medical records to the SSA throughout the process.
Once you reach a hearing, we will review your SSA file. We then prepare you to testify. Also, we can explain the questions the judge will ask you at your hearing.
Let us help you win your SSD and SSI case. If you need help filing for concurrent benefits, then contact our law firm today.
