The SSDI program provides cash benefits to workers (and sometimes children of workers) who have suffered an illness or injury, not necessarily work-related, that is expected to either keep them unemployed for at least a year or result in death. You must be under 65 to receive benefits, although certain other options might be possible for people over 65. Once you apply, you may have to wait 3 to 5 months for a decision.

How Much Money Will I Receive?

Every case is different, and individual awards vary greatly. The legal minimum monthly award is $1,197, and the legal maximum monthly award is $2,788. The exact amount of your benefits depends on:

• Your age at the time of the onset of your disability;
• How much money you were earning at the onset of your disability;
• The number of years you have worked for an eligible employer and paid social security taxes; and
• Your projected date of retirement.

Subject to the foregoing minimum and maximum amounts, the average SSDI award amounts to about 40% of the recipient’s income before he became disabled. Additional sources of income could be available, however. SSDI recipients, for example, eligible to participate in the SNAP (food stamps) program.

Paying Medical Bills

You will be eligible for Medicare after receiving SSDI for at least 24 months. You might be able to qualify for Medicare immediately if you have certain medical needs, however. Typically, only a catastrophic medical condition will render you immediately eligible for Medicaid.

Taking Care of Your Children

SSDI offers two options that might help you support your children despite the presence of your disability:

• You can submit a separate SSDI application on behalf of your minor children (under 18), allowing them to receive certain benefits until they turn 18.
• If you die, your children might be able to claim your SSDI benefits under certain circumstances.

The Clock is Ticking on Your Claim

The best way to maximize your chances of your disability claim being approved, and to make sure that you receive all of the money you need, is to act quickly and to submit a strong application. Kentucky disability lawyer Glenn Martin Hammond can utilize his years of experience to help you with these challenges. For a case consultation call (606) 437-7777 or fill out our online contact form. We serve clients throughout the entire state of Kentucky.