Social Security Disability

For 2015, the maximum payment for an individual is $8657.26; for an eligible couple it is $12,984.44. Contrary to what the lawyers' ads tell you, this isn't a disability insurance you've paid for. The money is taken from the trust fund intended to provide sustenance retirement income.

Social security programs were never intended to provide total income needed to maintain a mid-level lifestyle. They are there to help with the bare necessities of life: food, shelter, clothing.

www.ssa.gov/OACT/cola/SSI.html

It is not ever a comfortable income. But, some states add more, and there are other services such as food stamps that can make the total amount more. Also, the person usually qualifies for Medicare even if younger.

In the States, the old and disabled are referred to as "entitled" and treated like second class citizens after they had a large percentage taken from their paychecks by the federal and state governments. It's a disgrace that so many of them end up homeless and on the streets because the yanks treat them like lepers.
Most countries around the world take much better care of the sick and infirm than the USA which is the richest country on the planet.

Good luck actually getting approved. If you live in MI and need a lawyer, let me know..

I agree beatUC. Schooling's also ridiculous. If I want to go to grad school, I have to pay for the GRE, I have to pay for the study materials to take the test, to apply to the schools, and then god forbid I actually got in somewhere. Profit driven healthcare is the biggest joke of all. Everyone should be entitled to equal care no matter their income, race, etc. This is minor compared to most people's problems but last night when I got discharged from the ER was the most awkward experience. They'd just given me morphine and I was still in the bed so I wasn't very clearheaded and this lady comes in and is basically like, "It's time to pay now, we take cash, check or credit." I tried to explain my bank was blocking credit transactions because of fraud so I had to type in my PIN and she kept arguing with me instead of just mailing me a bill like I asked. Finally she ended up just staring at me until I said, "Okay? What?" and finally figured out she needed the card right away to go try it. Somehow she got it to work which kind of makes me wonder. She made me feel like a piece of crap cheapskate or something. It's not that I didn't WANT to pay (I didn't lol but you get the jist). First time I'd had problem getting someone to mail me the copay bill.

Anyways I don't want to get all off topic! Sorry pmitra. SSD is not easy to get from my experience. Both my parents and their friend were all denied and had to get a lawyer. And there's NO WAY they can work. My mom can barely even get out of bed! Good luck, should you apply!

There is a difference between SSI, SSDI and regular retirement SS.

SSI is income for people who either never worked or didn't work long enough to collect SSDI. SSI pays a very minimal amount. SSDI can be close to what you would collect if you retired. I don't know what the maximums are, but my mother is on retirement SS and gets over $1000/month. I think the last time I checked my SS statement, I remember seeing that SSDI would be very close to what my retirement income will be -- approx $2000/month. I don't know how they calculate the amounts, but SS & SSDI have something to do with how much money you have earned in your lifetime. I don't know what SSI is based on.

Lansing now, but grew up in a small town more towards the southeast. Their lawyer is out of Brighton. Same guy?? lol

(Another MSU grad checking in - PhD in horticulture/plant breeding. Go Spartans!)

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is for the very poor who never worked enough to receive much in SS (Social Security) benefits. So, if they worked very hard at low wages their entire life, SSI would kick in to a MAX around of around $700/month total (WA state).

Only 32% of SSDI (Social Security Disability) applicants nationally are approved on initial application. It is not until the appeal proceedings do most applicants ever receive their benefits. This takes on average one year and usually requires the help of a lawyer who will take a percentage of whatever you are finally awarded. It is standard procedure for the feds to deny 2/3 of all applicants....they figure if you just accept the denial no matter how legitimate your claim they save money.

The land of the brave and home of the free???

MSU BA in Chinese/German checking in. I just never escaped Lansing.