Eligibility Issues

May an Incarcerated Felon Receive Social Security Disability Benefits?
I recently received an email question from a blog reader about the eligibility of a convicted felon for Social Security disability benefits. There is a simple answer here - you may not collect disability benefits during the time you are incarcerated. Social Security ruling 83-28 addresses this situation directly. (…)

Will Child be Eligible for Dependent's Benefits When "Out of the Picture" Father is Approved
I get a lot of questions from mothers who are caring for the children of fathers who are out of the picture. Susan's situation is a fairly common one so I will answer it here:
My 11 year old daughter's father has just been approved for disability. (…)

What is my "Date Last Insured?"
Back in January, I answered a question from a blog reader about Social Security disability credits. That reader wondered why Social Security had advised her that she had "run out of credits."
You earn credits based on earnings during the approximately 10 year period prior to filing for disability. If you wait too file or if you allege disability as of a date where your credits have run out, you cannot recover disability benefits (you could recover SSI, but SSI benefits are usually lower than SSDI and SSI will be offset by household income or assets). (…)

My Work History Has Not Been Consistent - Can I Still Claim SSDI Benefits?
I was diagnosed last Thursday by my neurologist with post traumatic stress syndrome resulting from three MVA's. I have other related injuries and have tried to do several jobs, after a long career, and cannot do it. Is there any relief for me? (…)

How Do I Know if my SSDI Monthly Benefit Payment Amount is Correct?
I have found your site and have been reading your comments. I have been on SSDI since 2002. I was a registered nurse for 15 years- always working with no lapses. (…)

Wife's Income Offset's Husband's SSI Benefit Claim
My husband had a spinal cord injury and is totally disabled but SS denied his claim because I(his wife) makes too much money. I make $62,000 a year and we have a child in college. (…)

Does Accepting Unemployment Benefits Hurt My SSDI Case?
Should you accept unemployment benefits while your SSDI case is pending? My experience has been that Social Security judges will have concerns if you accept unemployment compensation during your wait for your Social Security hearing. (…)

Trial Work Period Earnings After Benefits Awarded - Will Benefit Amount Increase?
Dear Jonathan, I had a question posted several months ago concerning working full-time after being granted SSDI, and I had another related question. (…)

Social Security Earnings Credits for Military Veterans
I receive a number of inquiries about Social Security earnings credits for veterans. In researching this issue, it appears that Social Security has a mish-mash of rules about how to credit service hours for veterans, especially for military service in World War II, the Korean War and even Vietnam. (…)

What are the rules for my trial work period?
Hi, I have been disabled for a few years now and am thinking about returning to work, I would like to stay under the amount necessary to continue my ssd ? How do I do that? (…)