Approved Disability
If your application is approved, your first Social Security disability benefits will be paid for the sixth full month after the date your disability began. Here is an example: If the state agency decides your disability began on January 15, your first disability benefit will be paid for the month of July. Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due, so you will receive your July benefit in August.
How much will my benefits be? The amount of your monthly disability benefit is based on your average lifetime earnings. The Social Security Statement that you receive each year displays your lifetime earnings and provides an estimate of your disability benefit. It also includes estimates of retirement and survivors benefits that you or your family may be eligible to receive in the future. If you do not have your Social Security Statement and would like an estimate of your disability benefit, you can request one at www.socialsecurity.gov or call the SSA toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213.
Your Social Security Statement is a concise, easy-to-read personal record of the
earnings on which you have paid Social Security taxes during your working years
and a summary of the estimated benefits you and your family may receive as a result
of those earnings. SSA provide the Statements in two ways: in automatic annual mailings
to workers and former workers aged 25 and older and at any time to workers of any
age who request them. You should keep your Statement with your other important papers
and use it in several ways: First, the benefit estimates in your Statement can play
an important role in your financial planning. When combined with your savings, investments
and other pensions, your Social Security benefits can help you build a secure future
for yourself and your family. Second, the Statement can help you make sure your
reported earnings and other important information such as your name and date of
birth are correct on your record. Mistakes could keep you from getting all the Social
Security benefits you have earned. The sooner you identify mistakes, the easier
it will be to help SSA correct them. And finally, the general information on the
Statement tells you about all the protection you are earning under Social Security.
Many people think of Social Security only as a retirement program. The Statement
shows how even young workers are building valuable protection in case they become
disabled or die before they reach retirement age.
Certain members of your family may qualify for benefits based on your work. They
include:
Your spouse, if he or she is 62 or older;
Your spouse, at any age if he or she is caring for a child of yours who is younger
than age 16 or disabled;
Your unmarried child, including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild
or grandchild. The child must be under age 18 or under age 19 if in elementary or
secondary school full time; and
Your unmarried child, age 18 or older, if he or she has a disability that started
before age 22. (The child’s disability also must meet the definition of disability
for adults.)
NOTE: In some situations, a divorced spouse may qualify for benefits based on your
earnings if he or she was married to you for at least 10 years, is not currently
married and is at least age 62. The money paid to a divorced spouse does not reduce
your benefit or any benefits due to your current spouse or children.
