How is Long Term Disability Income Determined?

Are you interested in understanding just how is long term disability income determined?  Disability benefits are payments and benefits paid to people by Social Security because the recipient has a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year, or at the worst, has a condition that will result in death.  Unfortunately, about one third of all workers will become disabled before their age of retirement, so the chances that this will apply to you are higher than most people realize.

What is Long Term Disability Income?

Social Security is a government program that pays benefits to people to who cannot work because of injury or disability.  To get disability income, you have to meet the two different earnings tests required by Social Security:  a “recent work” test that is based on how old you were at the time you became disabled, and a “duration of work” test that shows you worked long enough under Social Security to be eligible to start receiving benefits.

How is Long Term Disability Income Determined?

The Social Security disability benefits will begin six months after the date that your disability began.  Your benefits will be paid monthly, and the amount of this benefit will be based upon how much you have earned on average during your lifetime.  In 2005, the average income was $895 per month. In addition to your disability monetary payments, medicare coverage will kick in automatically after two years of receiving disability benefits so you will receive medical treatment and coverage as well.

To determine how much you can expect to receive, you will have to get a Social Security Statement by requesting one through the toll-free number 1-800-772-1213, or through the SSA website.  This will give you an estimate of your disability benefit, and the estimates of retirement and survivors benefits that you and your loved ones will be able to receive in the future 

Can I Work and Collect Long Term Disability Income?

You can try working again after you have started receiving disability benefits, and you can use “work incentives” or “employment support” programs in order to find legal ways to keep your cash benefits and Medicare while you test the possibility that you may be able to work.  You can get support for this from The Ticket to Work program.

Taking the Next Steps

If you are looking for more information regarding your question, how is long term disability income determined, you can speak with a Social Security representative, or you can contact an experienced social security disability attorney who can help explain your rights and guide you through the application process.