                              DISABILITY

Who Should Read This?
_______________________________________________________________________

You should, if you want to know more about the various kinds of 
disability benefits available from Social Security. This booklet will 
tell you who is eligible, how to apply, and what you need to know 
once benefits start.

We pay disability benefits under two programs: the Social Security 
disability insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income 
(SSI) program. The medical requirements for disability payments are 
the same under both programs and a person's disability is determined 
by the same process. While eligibility for Social Security disability 
is based on prior work under Social Security, SSI disability payments 
are made on the basis of financial need. And there are other 
differences in the eligibility rules for the two programs. This 
booklet deals primarily with the Social Security disability program. 
For information on SSI disability payments, refer to the section, "A 
Word About Supplemental Security Income," at the end of this booklet, 
or ask for the booklets, "Supplemental Security Income" and "Working 
while Disabled...How Social Security Can Help" from the Social 
Security field office.

Please Note:
This booklet provides a general overview of the disability program. 
The information it contains is not intended to cover all provisions 
of the law. For specific information about your case, contact Social 
Security.
_______________________________________________________________________

What's Included
_______________
Part 1--Introduction to Disability And Social Security
   What We Mean By "Disability"
   Who Can Get Social Security Disability Benefits
   Disability Benefits For Children
   How Much Work YOu Need For Social Security Benefits
   
Part 2--Signing Up For Disability
   How To Apply
   How We Determine Disability
   Rules For Blind Persons
   If Your Claim Is Denied
   
Part 3--When Your Claim Is Approved
   Your First Check
   How Much You Will Get From Social Security
   How Other Payments Affect Benefits
   Benefits May Be Taxed
   You Can Get Medicare If You're Disabled
   Reviewing Your Disability
   What Can Cause Benefits To Stop
   
Part 4--Going Back To Work
   Benefits While You Work
   
A Word About Supplemental Security Income

For More Information

Other Booklets Available
_______________________________________________________________________
PART 1--INTRODUCTION TO DISABILITY AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Disability is something most people don't like to think about. But 
the chances of your becoming disabled are probably greater than you 
realize. In fact, studies show that one out of four young workers 
will become disabled some time during their lifetime.

It's a fact that, while most people spend time working to succeed in 
their jobs and careers, few think about ensuring that they have a 
safety net to fall back on should the unthinkable happen. This is 
where Social Security comes in. We pay cash benefits to people who 
are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability. 
Benefits continue until a person is able to work again on a regular 
basis and a number of work incentives are available to ease the 
transition back to work.
                   ____________________

What We Mean By "Disability"
It's important that you understand how Social Security defines 
"disability." That's because different programs have different bases 
for determining disability.  As a result, some programs may pay for 
partial disability or for short-term disability.  Social Security 
does NOT.

Disability under Social Security is based on your inability to work. 
You will be considered disabled if you are unable to do any kind of 
work for which you are suited, and if your inability to work is 
expected to last for at least a year or to result in death.

Some consider this a strict definition of disability, and it is. The 
program assumes that working families have access to other resources 
to provide support during periods of short-term disabilities, 
including workers compensation, insurance, savings, and investments. 
It is designed to provide a continuing income to you and your family 
when you are unable to do so. Benefits continue as long as you remain 
disabled.
                   ____________________

Who Can Get Social Security Disability Benefits
You can receive Social Security disability benefits at any age. If 
you are receiving disability benefits at age 65, they become 
retirement benefits, although the amount remains the same. Certain 
members of your family may also qualify for benefits on your record. 
They include:

*Your unmarried son or daughter, including a step-child, adopted 
 child, or, in some cases, a grandchild. The child must be under 18 or 
 under 19 if in high school full time.

*Your unmarried son or daughter, 18 or older, if he or she has a 
 disability that started before 22. (If a disabled child under 18 is 
 receiving benefits as a dependent of a retired, deceased, or disabled 
 worker, someone should contact Social Security to have his or her 
 checks continued at 18 and later on the basis of disability.)

*Your spouse who is 62 or older.

*Your spouse at any age if he or she is caring for a child of yours 
 who is under 16 or disabled and also receiving checks.

Certain family members may qualify for disability benefits if you 
should die. They include:

*Your disabled widow or widower 50 or older. The disability must have 
 started before your death or within 7 years after your death. (If 
 your widow or widower caring for your children receives Social 
 Security checks, she or he is eligible if she or he becomes disabled 
 before those payments end or within 7 years after they end.)
 
*Your disabled ex-wife or husband who is 50 or older if the marriage 
 lasted 10 years or longer.
                   ____________________

Disability Benefits For Children
In recent years, there has been a growing concern about whether 
parents are aware of the disability benefits that are available for 
their disabled children. More than 475,000 children under 18 who have 
disabilities currently receive such benefits; most suffer some form 
of mental retardation, others from various childhood conditions.

Social Security disability benefits may also be paid to children 18 
or older who were disabled before age 22. These benefits will 
continue into their adult years as long as they remain disabled.

Many children qualify for disability benefits under the SSI program. 
For more information, ask Social Security for the booklet, 
"Supplemental Security Income".

A recent court order changed the way we decide if a child is 
disabled, generally making it easier for children to qualify for 
Social Security and SSI disability benefits.
                   ____________________

How Much Work You Need For Social Security Benefits
To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have 
worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security. In 
1991, you ear 1 credit of coverage for each $540 in earnings, up to a 
maximum of 4 credits per year. The amount of earnings required for a 
credit increases each year as general wage levels rise. Family 
members who qualify for benefits on your work record do not need work 
credits.

The number of work credits needed for disability benefits depends on 
your age when you become disabled.

*Before age 24--You need 6 credits in the 3-year period ending when 
 your disability starts.

*Age 24 to 31--You need credit for having worked half the time 
 between 21 and the time you become disabled. For example, if you 
 became disabled at age 27, you would need credit for 3 years of work 
 (out of 6 years).

*Age 31 or older--You need to have the same number of work credits as 
 you would need for retirement, as shown in the following chart. Also, 
 you generally must have earned at least 20 of the credits in the 10 
 years immediately before you became disabled.
_______________________________________________________________________
     Born After              Born Before
    1929, Become            1930, Become               Credits
   Disabled At Age        Disabled Before 62          You Need
_______________________________________________________________________
   31 through 42                                         20
         44                                              22
         46                                              24
         48                                              26
         50                                              28
         52                                              30
         53                                              31
         54                                              32
         55                                              33
         56                                              34
         57                     1986                     35
         58                     1987                     36
         59                     1988                     37
         60                     1989                     38
     62 or older            1991 or later                40
_______________________________________________________________________

PART 2--SIGNING UP FOR DISABILITY

How To Apply
You should apply at any social Security office as soon as you become 
disabled. (You may file by phone, mail, or by visiting the nearest 
office.) However, social Security disability benefits will not begin 
UNTIL THE 6TH FULL MONTH OF DISABILITY. This "waiting period" begins 
with the first full month after the onset of your disability.

The claims process for disability benefits is generally longer than 
for other types of Social Security benefits--from 60 to 90 days. It 
takes longer to obtain medical information and to assess the nature 
of the disability in terms of your ability to work. However, you can 
help shorten the process by bringing certain documents with you when 
you apply. These include:

*The Social Security number and proof of age for each person applying 
 for payments. This includes your spouse and children, if they are 
 applying for benefits.

*Names, addresses, and phone numbers of doctors, hospitals, clinics, 
 and institutions that treated you and dates of treatment.

*A summary of where you worked in the past 15 years and the kind of 
 work you did.

*A copy of your W-2 Form (Wage and Tax Statement), or if you are 
 self-employed, your Federal tax return for the past year.

*Dates of any prior marriages if your spouse is applying.

Do not delay filing for benefits just because you do not have all of 
the information you need. The Social Security office will be glad to 
help you.
                   ____________________
                   
How We Determine Disability
You should be familiar with the process we use to determine if you 
are disabled. It's a step-by-step process involving five questions. 
They are:

1. Are you working?
   If you are and you are earning $500 or more a month, you generally 
   cannot be considered disabled.
   
2. Is your condition "severe"?
   Your impairments must interfere with basic work-related activities 
   for your claim to be considered further.
   
3. Is your condition found in the list of disabling impairments?
   We maintain a list of impairments for each of the major body 
   systems that are so severe they automatically mean you are 
   disabled. If your condition is not on the list, we have to 
   determine if it is of equal severity to an impairment on the list. 
   If it is, your claim is approved. If it is not, we go to the next 
   step.
   
4. Can you do the work you did previously?
   If your condition is severe, but not at the same or equal severity 
   as an impairment on the list, then we must determine if it 
   interferes with your ability to do the work you did in the last 15 
   years. If it does not, your claim will be denied. If it does, your 
   claim will be considered further.
   
5. Can you do any other type of work?
   If you cannot do the work you did in the last 15 years, we then 
   look to see if you can do any other type of work. We consider your 
   age, education, past work experience, and transferable skills, and 
   we review the job demands of occupations as determined by the 
   Department of Labor. If you cannot do any other kind of work, your 
   claim will be approved. If you can, your claim will be denied.
                   ____________________

Rules For Blind Persons
The Social Security disability program has special rules for blind 
persons. If you qualify, you may receive benefits either on the basis 
of blindness or on the basis of disability.

You are considered blind under Social Security rules if your vision 
cannot be corrected to better than 20/200 in your better eye, or if 
your visual field is 20 degrees or less, even with a corrective lens.

If you are blind, you can earn up to $810 a month in 1991 before your 
earnings are considered "substantial gainful work".

If you are blind, you should file for disability even if you are 
working regularly and your earnings are too high to receive 
disability benefits. That's because you might be eligible for a 
disability "freeze." This means that your future benefits, which are 
figured on your average earnings over your working life, will not be 
reduced because of relatively lower earnings in those years when you 
are blind.
                   ____________________

If Your Claim Is Denied
If your claim is denied, or if you disagree with any other decision 
we make, you may appeal the decision. The Social Security office will 
help you complete the paperwork.

There are four levels of appeal. If you disagree with the decision at 
one level, you may appeal to the next level. You have 60 days from 
the time you receive the decision to file an appeal to the next 
level. We assume that you receive the decision 5 days after the date 
on it, unless you can show us that you received it later.

*Reconsideration
 Your file is reviewed by persons other than those who made the 
 original decision.
 
*Hearing
 If the reconsideration decision is still unfavorable, you may apply 
 for a hearing before a judge. If you are appealing a decision that 
 you are no longer medically disabled, you may also request that we 
 continue your benefits while you wait for a decision.
 
*Appeals Council
 The appeals Council will review your case if it feels that there is 
 an issue that the judge did not address. If it denies your review, 
 or you otherwise disagree with its decision, you may appeal to a 
 Federal Civil Court.
 
*United States District Court
 Again, you have 60 days from the day you received the notice of the 
 decision to appeal to a Federal Court.
_______________________________________________________________________
PART 3--WHEN YOUR CLAIM IS APPROVED

Your First Check
Once a decision is made that you are disabled, you will receive your 
first Social Security disability check dating back to the 6th full 
month from the onset of your disability. You also will receive a 
booklet describing your responsibilities as a Social Security 
beneficiary: "When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits--What 
You Need To Know." You should read this booklet carefully and keep it 
in a safe place with your other valuable papers in order to refer to 
it whenever questions arise.
                   ____________________

How Much You Will Get From Social Security
The amount of your monthly disability benefits is based on your 
lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security. The average 
monthly benefit for a disabled worker in 1991 is $587, and the 
average payment to a disabled worker with a family is $1,022. The 
following chart gives examples of disability benefits that may be 
payable to you and your family.

_______________________________________________________________________
Approximate Monthly Benefits If You Become Disabled in 1991 And Had 
Steady Earnings
_______________________________________________________________________
                      Your Earnings in 1990

Your                                                              $51,300
Age   Your Family         $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 Or More+
__________________________________________________________________________
25    You                    $473  $  732  $  958  $1,079  $1,196  $1,202
      You, spouse, child*     687   1,098   1,437   1,619   1,795   1,803

35    You                     468     722     950   1,069   1,174   1,177
      You, spouse, child*     674   1,083   1,426   1,604   1,762   1,766
      
45    You                     467     720     947   1,040   1,103   1,105
      You, spouse, child*     672   1.081   1,421   1,560   1,655   1,657

55    You                     469     724     934     997   1,040   1,041
      You, spouse, child*     676   1,086   1,402   1,496   1,561   1,562
      
64    You                     476     736     942     997   1,035   1,036
      You, spouse, child*     690   1,104   1,414   1,496   1,553   1,554
__________________________________________________________________________
+ Use this column if you earn more than the maximum Social Security 
  earnings base.
* Equals the maximum family benefit.
Note: The accuracy of these estimates depends on the pattern of your 
      actual past earnings.
                   ____________________
                   
How Other Payments Affect Benefits
Eligibility for other government benefits can affect the amount of 
your Social Security disability benefits.

*Other Disability Benefits
 Social Security benefits may be affected if you are also eligible 
 for workers' compensation (including black lung) or for disability 
 benefits from certain Federal, State, Civil Service, or military 
 disability programs. Total combined payments to you and your family 
 from Social Security and any of these other programs generally 
 cannot exceed 80 percent of your average current earnings before 
 becoming disabled.
 
*Government Pension Offset
 If you are a disabled widow or widower or the spouse of a disabled 
 worker, a "government pension offset" may reduce your Social 
 Security payment. The offset applies if you become eligible for a 
 Federal, State, or local government pension based on your own work 
 not covered by social Security. The amount of your Social Security 
 spouse's benefit may be reduced by two-thirds of the amount of your 
 government pension.
 
 There are some exceptions when the offset would not apply. For more 
 information, call or visit Social Security to ask for a free copy of 
 the fact sheet, "Government Pension Offset."
 
*Pension From Work Not Covered By Social Security
 If you become disabled and entitled to a Social Security disability 
 benefit and you also receive a monthly pension based on work not 
 covered by social Security, your disability payment will be smaller 
 than normal. That's because we use a different formula to figure the 
 Social Security benefit of people who get other public pensions. For 
 more information, call or visit Social Security to ask for a free 
 copy of the fact sheet, "A Pension From Work Not Covered By Social 
 Security."
                   ____________________

Benefits May Be Taxed
A relatively small number of people may have to pay Federal income 
taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if 
your total income is high. At the end of the year, you will receive a 
Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA-1099) showing the amount 
of benefits you received. The statement is to be used for completing 
your Federal income tax return if any of your benefits are subject to 
tax. You may use the Internal Revenue Service Publication 915 for 
additional information on the tax.
                   ____________________
                   
You Can Get Medicare If You're Disabled
You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare after you have been 
getting disability benefits for 2 years.

There are two parts to Medicare--hospital insurance and medical 
insurance. Hospital insurance helps pay hospital bills and some 
follow-up care. The taxes you paid while you were working financed 
this coverage, so it's free if you're eligible. The other part of 
Medicare, medical insurance, helps pay doctors' bills and other 
services. You pay a monthly premium for this coverage if you want it. 
Almost everybody has both parts of Medicare.
                   ____________________
                   
Reviewing Your Disability
Your benefits will continue as long as you are disabled. However, 
your case will be reviewed periodically to see if you are still 
disabled. The frequency of the reviews depends on the expectation of 
recovery.

*If medical improvement is "expected," your case will be reviewed 
 within 6 to 18 months.

*If medical improvement is "possible," your case will be reviewed no 
 sooner than 3 years.

*If medical improvement is "not expected," your case may be reviewed 
 no sooner than 7 years.
                   ____________________
                   
What Can Cause Benefits To Stop
There are two things that can cause us to decide that you are no 
longer disabled and to stop your benefits.

The basic yardstick used to determine if you are still disabled is 
whether your work is "substantial." Usually, earnings of $500 or more 
a month are considered substantial. This level of work is referred to 
as "substantial gainful activity."

Your disability benefits would also stop if it is determined that 
your medical condition has improved to the point that you are no 
longer disabled.

You must promptly report any improvement in your condition, your 
return to work, and certain other events as long as you are receiving 
benefits. These responsibilities are explained in the booklet you 
will receive when benefits start.
_______________________________________________________________________
PART 4--GOING BACK TO WORK

Benefits While You Work
If you're like most people, you would rather work than try to live on 
disability benefits. There are a number of special rules that provide 
cash benefits and Medicare while you attempt to work. We call these 
rules "work incentives." You should be familiar with these disability 
work incentives so that you can use them to your advantage.

If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits, the 
following rules are among the work incentives that apply:

*Trial Work Period--For 9 months (not necessarily consecutive), you 
 may earn as much as you can without affecting your benefits. (The 9 
 months of work must be in a 5-year period to be considered a trial 
 work period.) A trial work month is any month in which you earn more 
 than $200. After 9 months of trial work, your work is evaluated to 
 see if it is "substantial." If your earnings are $500 or less a 
 month, benefits will generally continue. If earnings average more 
 than $500 a month, benefits will continue for a 3-month grace period 
 before they stop.
 
*Extended Period of Eligibility--For 36 months after a successful 
 trial work period, if you are still disabled, you will be eligible to 
 receive a monthly benefit without a new application for any month your 
 earnings drop below $500.

*Deductions for Impairment-Related Expenses--Work expenses related to 
 your disability will be discounted in figuring whether your earnings 
 constitute substantial work.
 
*Medicare Continuation--Your Medicare coverage will continue for 39 
 months beyond the trial work period. If your Medicare coverage stops 
 because of your work, you may purchase it for a monthly premium.
 
For more information about Social Security's work incentives, ask for 
a copy of the booklet, "Working While Disabled...How Social Security 
Can Help.
_______________________________________________________________________

A Word About Supplemental Security Income
As we stated earlier, the medical requirements for disability 
payments are the same for Social Security and SSI, and a person's 
disability is determined by the same process for both programs. But 
there are some differences between Social Security and SSI that you 
should know about. These include:

*No disability waiting period is required under SSI. Since SSI 
 payments are based on financial need, the presumption that a person 
 has resources to handle short-term health problems does not exist.

*Under SSI, you may qualify for an immediate disability payment if 
 your condition is obviously disabling and you meet the SSI income and 
 resource limits.
*Different work incentive rules apply to SSI recipients. The major 
 difference is that cash benefits and Medicaid continue as long as 
 the SSI income limits are not exceeded (the substantial gainful 
 activity level does not apply). Another important rule permits money 
 to be set aside for up to 48 months for a work goal. Other special 
 rules apply to blind persons, disabled students, and people with 
 disabilities who work in sheltered workshops. Some work incentive 
 rules are the same for Social Security disability and SSI. These 
 include the work expenses exclusion and the continuation of benefits 
 while in a vocational rehabilitation program.
 
For more information about SSI disability payments, ask for the 
publications, "Supplemental Security Income" and "Working While 
Disabled...How Social Security Can Help."
                   ____________________
                   
For More Information
For more information or to apply for benefits, call or visit Social 
Security. It's easiest to call Social Security's toll free telephone 
number.  The number is 1-800-2345-SSA (1-800-234-5772). You can speak 
to a representative 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each business day.

The Social Security Administration treats each call confidentially. 
We also want to ensure that you receive accurate and courteous 
service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative 
listen to some telephone calls.
                   ____________________
                   
Other Booklets Available
Social Security has a number of publications that contain information 
about other Social Security programs. Contact Social Security to get 
a free copy of any of these publications. They include:

*Understanding Social Security--
 A comprehensive explanation of all the Social Security programs.
 
*Retirement--
 Explains Social Security retirement benefits.
 
*Survivors--
 Explains Social Security survivors benefits.
 
*Medicare--
 Explains Medicare hospital insurance and medical insurance.
 
*Supplemental Security Income--
 Explains this program which provides a basic income to people 65 or 
 older, disabled, or blind who have limited income and resources.
