Disability

Good story on ABLE (Achieve a Better Living Experience) accounts which were created in 2014 to help disabled folks grow living funds on a tax-free basis.

Good story from the Washington Post about the backlog of people waiting for determination of Social Security disability benefits.

The Post stated that in the last two years, nearly 19,000 Americans died waiting for disability. The wait has risen from around 350 days in 2012 to nearly 600 in 2017.

There are currently more than 1 million Americans waiting for a disability insurance determination from the Social Security Administration.

About 10.5 million people get disability benefits from Social Security. An additional 8 million get disability benefits from Supplemental Security Income, the disability program for low-income people who don't qualify for Social Security.

This post has very good answers to the following questions :

Q. I am 61 but want to work until age 70. What happens to my wife if I die before I start retirement benefits?

A. The wife will receive survivor benefits equal to your retirement benefit, less any benefit she may be receiving.

Q. Why wasn't I offered retroactive benefits?

A. Retroactive benefits can't be paid prior to age 66.

Q. I am raising a grandchild who has a father in prison and an irresponsible mother. Can the child get benefits on my record?

In this US Court of Appeals decision, the judges outlined the five-step process for assessing a claim for disability insurance benefits is spelled out in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(v).

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits may NOT be garnished by bill collectors.

However, Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) may be garnished in for student loan repayments, and child support.

A woman recently appealed her inability to be awarded Social Security disability by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit affirmed the decision of the ALJ, meaning the woman was not awarded Social Security disability payments.

Although this is one specific case, it is instructive to read the decision if you're considering filing for or appealing a Social Security disability decision.

Just like Social Security retirement benefits, Social Security disability benefits are taxable if your "base income" exceeds $25,000 (single) or $32,000 (married).

Your "base income" includes half of your Social Security benefits, plus other income (including tax-exempt interest).

The state of Indiana joins Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky in enabling the disabled to save money without the risk of losing Medicaid and Social Security benefits.

Indiana officials believe about 90,000 people may be eligible for the new "INvestABLE" account

Here's a good overview of Social Security disability which answers the following questions :

Who does the SSA consider disabled?

What is the SSA’s definition of disability?

What evidence does the SSA require to prove my medical condition?

What if my medical condition is not in the Blue Book?

Does the SSA have any other requirements for disability benefits?

What if I am able to earn a small income?

If I am unable to work, am I guaranteed disability benefits?