About SSDI - The Basics

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program administered by the federal government that pays monthly wage replacement benefits to workers who can no longer work because of a physical and/or mental condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death.

While you are working, a portion of the FICA (payroll) taxes that you pay are used to fund the SSDI program, which provides a safety net in the event that you develop a health condition that prevents you from working. Federal law requires a very strict definition of disability, so to be eligible you must be able to prove that you are unable to work because of a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.

While one would think that applying for SSDI should be a straight-forward and simple process, the reality is that it is quite complex. Additionally, due to a combination of the struggling economy and the "baby-boomers" reaching their most disability-prone years, the number of initial SSDI applications being filed has reached an all-time high, causing delays at all levels of the application and appeals process.

With 2.6 million applications filed in 2009, the Social Security Administration is expecting another 3.3 million applications to be filed in 2010. Unfortunately, the increase in initial applications means that disabled applicants have to wait longer and longer just to have their applications considered. Even then, almost two-thirds of applicants are denied at the initial level, leading to a long and rigorous appeals process. Against that backdrop, having a benefit advocate to ensure that your claim is being handled properly has never been more important.

Crowe Paradis: The Right Fit at The Right Time