Disability Benefits
If applying due to a disability you can begin to complete the Social Security disability report apply online. You can also call 1-800-772-1243 to find out the office and to make an appointment.
Social Security has a Quick Disability Determination (QDD) process to help persons be approved quickly if they have a severe or terminal illness. The information you enter in the on-line disability report helps identify you as eligible for the QDD process. This identification is based on the computer running a scan of your on-line disability report and the scan looks for words like "terminal". If you need help with this you can have family or friends assist you, or you can ask your local Social Security office for help.
Also Social Security has a Compassionate Allowance process which allows for quick approvals if you have one of the illnesses listed. Click HERE if you want more information on the process.
NOTE: Please apply for benefits as soon as you believe you need them.
Survivors Benefits
Survivors: You can receive Social Security if your spouse or parent paid sufficient Social Security taxes and is now dead.
- Unmarried Widow (er): You can qualify for survivor benefits as early as age 60 or age 50 if disabled.
- Children: You can receive survivor benefits if you are an unmarried child under 18 (up to age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time) of a worker who dies. You can get benefits at any age if you were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled. Natural children, stepchildren, adopted children and in some instances grandchildren may be able to qualify.
- A widow or widower – you can receive full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60
- A disabled widow or widower – if you are disabled you may be able to receive benefits as early as age 50
- A widow or widower at any age if you care for a child who is under age 16 or disabled, and the child is the child of the deceased beneficiary
- An unmarried child under 18, or up to age 19 if you are attending high school full time. There are times that benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren, or adopted children, so you may want to contact Social Security to see if you qualify.
- A child at any age who is disabled before age 22 and remains disabled. If you receive SSI as a child and remain disabled, you may be able to be added as a dependent (no matter how old you are) when your parents retire or die.
- A dependent parent age 62 or older
Click here for more information about survivors benefits. You cannot apply for survivors benefits online so call 1-800-772-1213 to begin the process or go to your local Social Security office.
- What happens after you apply?
Social Security needs to be interview you. If you call Social Security (1-800-772-1213) to make an appointment to apply and you keep the appointment and file an application within 60 days of the call, Social Security uses the date of your call as your application filing date. Social Security will attempt to contact you if you do not keep this appointment. They will try to call you to reschedule (so make sure you provide a phone number where you can be reached on your application) or if. The letter lets you know that if you file an application within 60 days from the date of the letter, Social Security will use the date of your original contact with them as your application date.
If you need to provide information to Social Security, you will be told what is needed and when you need to return the information. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate and, if you are a veteran, your DD214 discharge certificate. If you are married and/or have young dependent children, you will need your marriage certificate and your dependents' birth certificates. The worker who interviews you will tell you exactly what information you need to provide. If you need help to get documents such as proof of age, citizenship, Social Security can help you.
If you are applying because of disability or blindness Social Security needs to obtain medical information that proves your disability in order to make a decision. If you are not able to get this from your existing medical providers Social Security will pay for you to have a doctor examine you. Social Security will pay your travel costs to get to this exam. If you want more information about how Social Security decides if you are disabled click here.
Social Security will mail you a letter telling you if you are approved or denied for benefits. The application process can take 3 to 4 months, so start applying as soon as you need the help.
Where to apply?
You apply by going to the local Social Security Office that serves your address. If you are not sure you qualify you can call 1-800-772-1213 or go online to screen for benefits. You can start your application three (3) months prior to when you are planning to retire.
If you are a person with a disability there are some unique employment services available to you. The types of services available are sometimes disability specific, and whether or not you are currently receiving Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income.
The State of Illinois through the Division of Rehabilitation Services helps persons with disabilities between the ages of 16-64 find work and also provides linkage to work assistance and planning counselors to assist with making a smooth transition from Social Security benefits back to employment.
Some websites targeted to persons with disabilities and employment issues:
- AbilityLinks.org: links employers to job-seekers with disabilities
- Center for Personal Assistance Services
- Equip for Equality Ticket to Work Project: one of many programs that helps social security beneficiaries return to work
- Goodwill Industries of Metropolitan Chicago, Inc.
- Health and Disability Advocates
- Illinois WorkNet Programs for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
- Work 4 Illinois
If you work and receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income, you need to make sure you fully understand the impact this can have on your benefits, as well as your medical coverage through Medicare or Medicaid.
Each local Social Security Administration (SSA) office has a Work Incentive Liaison (WIL) who can provide you advice and information about returning to work. It is recommended that you contact your local SSA office for the name and telephone number of this Work Incentive Liaison.
Another source of information is through your local Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program:
- If you live in Chicago call: Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities at 312-746-5743 or (TTY) 312-746-5713
- Department of Human Services (Division of Mental Health) at 866-390-6771 or (TTY) 312-814-5050
- Department of Human Services (Division of Rehabilitation Services) at 800-807-6962 or (TTY) 866-444-8013
- Equip for Equality at 800-537-2632 or (TTY) 800- 610-2779
You can also go to the Social Security website that explains the Ticket to Work program.
The rules regarding working and receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income are complicated and are different for each benefit. Before you decide to return to work it is important that you understand the rules and how your benefits will be affected. Social Security publishes information about being employed in something they call the Red Book or A Summary Guide To Employment Supports For Individuals With Disabilities Under The Social Security Disability Insurance And Supplemental Security Income Programs.
The Red Book provides extensive information including information about different supports you may need to be successfully employed.
Another great source of information is available through Health and Disability Advocates. They have a publication (The Ready to Work Guide) that easily explains what you need to do if you want to return to work.
General Information
Supplemental Security Income and Employment
If you receive Supplemental Security Income, Social Security will budget your income immediately. When counting what income to budget, Social Security does not count the first $65 of earned income plus one–half of the amount over $65. Simply put, Social Security will therefore reduce your SSI benefit only $1 for every $2 you earn over $65.
You may also be able to receive additional deductions Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) for items such as your out–of–pocket expenses for items such as medicine, medical supplies, medical devices, service animals, and disposable items such as bandages and syringes when the amount of your earned income is calculated.
If you are enrolled in your state’s Medicaid program, you may be able to continue to be enrolled if you work.
Other SSI Work Incentives (Employment Supports) that affect your SSI cash benefit amount and Medicaid eligibility include:
- Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits
- Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE)
- Blind Work Expense (BWE)
- Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)
- Property Essential to Self-Support
- Continued Payments Under a VR Program
Social Security Disability and Employment
If you receive Social Security Disability benefits, you may be able to have a Trial Work Period (TWP) before your work could affect your receiving benefits. This period allows you to work for up to 9 months without affecting your SSDI. You have to make sure you report your work to Social Security, as well as have not previously used and possibly exhausted this trial period. It is important to discuss your plan to return to work with your local Work Incentive Liaison (WIL). Contact your local SSA office for the name of your WIL to establish a plan to return to work. You can also find out how you may be eligible for Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Subsidies (job coaching, reduced productivity, etc).
SSDI (Title II) Work Incentives (Employment Supports) include:
- Subsidy and Special Conditions
- Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
- Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits
- Continuation of Medicare Coverage
- Medicare Buy-In for People With Disabilities Who Work (in Illinois this is the Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities)
- Continued Payment Under a Vocational Rehabilitation Program
- Unsuccessful Work Attempt