Social Security: Disability Benefits

If you became disabled in 1999, this table shows the approximate monthly benefit for persons with typical earnings histories.

• Your benefit - see (1).
• The benefit for your child; or for your spouse age 65 or above (reduced benefits if first claimed at ages 62-64) - see (2).
• Your family's maximum benefit-see (3).

TABLE: Aproximate Monthly Benefits at 65

To qualify for disabled-worker benefits, you must meet two requirements:

1. You must have worked the required length of time in employment covered by Social Security. Young workers can qualify with as few as 6 credits (about 1'/2 years of work); older workers may require as many as 40 credits (about 10 years).
2. Your disability must prevent you from being able to perform any substantial gainful work and must be expected to last for at least twelve months or result in earlier death.

Qualifying for Social Security disability benefits is difficult because the rules for determining disability are very strict. For this reason, you may want to consider a disability-income-protection plan in your insurance program. Even if you do qualify for Social Security benefits, you may need to supplement this income with insurance or investments to provide income during the waiting period of five full calendar months, when no Social Security benefits are paid.

Additional Benefits: Life Insurance | Disability | Long Term Care
Social Security Information: Retirement | Disability | Survivor | Medicare