Disability benefits

About one out of every six working-age Americans has a disability, making them much more exposed to economic hardships than people without disabilities. For them, the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income are critical.

According to the Social Security Administration, the Social Security Disability Insurance program provides monthly financial support to more than 9 million Americans. To become eligible for disability benefits, you must have had jobs covered by Social Security for a certain period of time – at least 10 years. In addition, if your disability is expected to last at least a year and interferes with basic work-related activities or worse, end in death, you are considered disabled and entitled to disability benefits.

However, there is a lot of paperwork to be filled in in order for someone to receive disability benefits. After careful screening, some can start collecting their benefits after the sixth full month of disability. Applicants who have been denied disability benefits can make an appeal, following the steps described on the official page of the Social Security Administration.