By: Capital Injury Law
6 SSDI FAQs from Capital Injury Law
For those living with a disability, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be invaluable for their well-being and financial stability. It’s designed to help support individuals with disabilities, supplementing income while they are unable to work. Unfortunately, Social Security Disability Insurance is known for being complicated and difficult to acquire.
Talbot and Kesling at Capital Injury Law are dedicated to helping you get the benefits you deserve. We help individuals file their first claim, gather all the necessary documentation, or petition a denial. In this blog post, we’ll give an overview of Social Security Disability Insurance and answer some common questions people ask.
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The Basics of Social Security Disability Insurance
Social Security Disability Insurance provides financial assistance to individuals unable to work due to a qualifying disability. Funded through payroll taxes, it offers income replacement to those with medical conditions that prevent substantial gainful activity. After two years of receiving Social Security Disability benefits, individuals may also receive Medicare.
To qualify, you need a sufficient work history and a disability that meets the Social Security Administration’s criteria. Your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from working and expected to last at least 12 months. The application process can be complex, requiring detailed documentation and sometimes legal help. You can apply online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. The process can take months due to extensive paperwork and reviews.
Your Social Security Disability Questions, Answered
As your SSDI lawyers in Tacoma, we can help you with every step of the Social Security Disability process. We’ll not only handle the heavy lifting of paperwork and documentation but also offer guidance so you’re equipped with an understanding of the system. Here are six common questions people have about Social Security Disability Insurance that go beyond the basics.
1: What is the difference between SSI and SSDI?
SSI is Supplemental Security Income. It also helps support people with disabilities, but it’s based on financial need, while SSDI is based on your contribution to Social Security. To qualify for Social Security Disability, you need to have worked a certain number of years, paying Social Security taxes. To qualify for SSI, you need to demonstrate financial need, regardless of your work history.
2: Can you get approved with SSDI if you are working?
Yes, but there are limitations. One of the qualifications for Social Security Disability Insurance is that your disability prevents you from SGA or substantial gainful activity. SGA is typically $1,550 or more a month. If you work part-time and make less than that monthly, you may still qualify for SSDI.
3: Is it harder to get SSI or SSDI?
It depends on how you look at it. SSDI has more eligibility requirements than SSI, which makes it harder to qualify. SSI applications get far fewer “technical denials,” which is a denial based on criteria regarding income or assets. However, fewer SSI applications are approved in general than SSDI applications. It’s also worth noting that Social Security Disability Insurance typically has much better benefits than SSI.
Overall, you will have better chances at SSI if you have high financial need or a limited work history. For both SSDI and SSI, the disability requirements are the same, except that you can qualify for SSI if you’re 65 or older even without a disability.
4: How long does it take to get SSDI?
The review process for an SSDI application often takes several months. The average processing time is seven months. However, the majority of initial applications are denied, and most approvals happen after a petition. Consequently, the process is actually much longer for most people.
Once you are approved, your benefits usually begin six months after your disability begins. If you were injured in July 2024, applied for SSDI in September 2024, and were approved in April 2025, you would be eligible for benefits starting in January 2025, for example. Most claimants receive their backpay within 60 days of approval. After that, the benefits are paid monthly.
5: How much SSDI will I get?
Your benefits depend on several factors. The maximum monthly payment for Social Security Disability Insurance in 2024 is $3,822, but the average payment is $1,542.
Benefits are allotted based on your work history and how much you paid in Social Security taxes. The more years you worked and the more you made in the past, the higher your benefits should be. Claimants with minor children may receive more. Other forms of income, like workers comp, may reduce your payment amount.
6: Is SSDI taxable income?
Yes, but it depends on the amount. If your total yearly income, including SSDI benefits and any other earnings, is greater than $25,000 or $32,000 for a couple filing jointly, it will be taxable. Depending on how high your income is, 50% to 85% of your SSDI benefits may be taxable.
Start Your Social Security Disability Insurance Journey with Capital Injury Law
Social Security Disability is often confusing and frustrating, and unfortunately, most people are denied when they file a claim. With Capital Injury Law on your side, you can navigate the process with ease and improve your chances of success. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation.
