Tamara Lynn Schweinsberg

If you are unable to work due to physical condition, a mental condition, or a combination of the two, then you are probably eligible to be paid a monthly disability benefit by the federal government. During the years that you worked, you probably noticed that your employers took out various forms of taxes from your paychecks. One of these taxes was paid to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to fund not only your future retirement benefits but also a disability program. This disability program covers you if you become disabled before reaching retirement age.

It does not matter what is causing your inability to work. It could be a disease, an injury, or something you were born with. Most often it is a variety of factors that combine to result in someone being unable to work. Age, for example, is often a major factor in a disability case. A disease or injury that does not disable someone who is 25 years old might disable someone who is 55 years old.

If you receive disability benefits and you have a minor child or children they will each receive a monthly benefit as well. Furthermore, after (2) years of receiving disability benefits you will automatically become eligible for Medicare.

You can receive disability benefits at the same time, and in addition to, disability benefits from the following sources: Veterans Administration, state workers’ compensation plans, and private insurance companies (LTD benefits). Benefits from some programs or plans, however, may be reduced in amount based on the concurrent receipt of disability benefits from the SSA. It is important for Veterans to note that there is NO reduction in your service connected disability benefits.