Social Security-Disability Insurance (96.001)
Program
96.001 Social Security-Disability Insurance
Federal Agency
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Authorization
Social Security Act of 1935, Title II, as amended; Public Laws 96-265; 97-123, and 97-35. 42 U.S.C. 401; 42 U.S.C. 402; 42 U.S.C. 416; 42 U.S.C. 420-425.
Program Number
96.001
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To replace part of the earnings lost because of a physical or mental impairment, or a combination of impairments, severe enough to prevent a person from working.
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use; Direct Payments for Specified Use.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Monthly cash benefits are paid to entitled disabled persons and to entitled auxiliary beneficiaries throughout the period of disability generally after a 5-month waiting period. Costs of vocational rehabilitation also are paid for certain beneficiaries. There are no restrictions on the use of benefits received by beneficiaries, although the right to future benefits is not transferable or assignable. In general, State agencies make initial disability determinations for the Federal Government. The Federal Government gives the States funds, in advance or by way of reimbursement, for necessary costs in making disability determinations under 20 CFR 404 Subparts P and Q. Necessary costs are direct as well as indirect costs as defined in 41 CFR 1-15, subpart 1-15.7 of the Federal Procurement Regulations System for costs incurred before April 1, 1984; and 48 CFR 31, Subpart 31.6 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations System and Federal Management Circular A-74-4, as amended, or superseded for costs incurred after March 31, 1984.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
exempt amount, $11,520 in 2003. Further, no benefit can be paid to an alien in the United States unless he or she is lawfully present in the United States.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Qualified disabled workers under age 65. Under the definition of disability in the Social Security Law, disability benefits are provided to a person who is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months, or to result in death. Disabled widow(er)s' benefits are covered under survivors insurance. Felony-related impairments and confinement-related impairments cannot be considered in determining whether an individual is under a disability if the individual has been convicted of a felony which was committed after October 19, 1980. Effective for claims finally adjudicated on March 29, 1996, (or for claims approved before then, with benefits payable beginning January 1, 1997) eligibility can no longer be based on drug addiction or alcoholism.
Credentials/Documentation
Proof of disability and possibly proof of age. If applying for benefits for family members, additional proofs of age, relationship to disabled worker, or full-time school attendance may be required.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Telephone or visit the local Social Security Office.
Award Procedure
After review of the application is completed, the applicant (or representative payee) will be notified by mail.
Deadlines
An individual should apply for disability benefits when he or she believes the entitlement requirements may be met. Retroactivity of benefit payments is limited to 1 year before filing.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Telephone or visit any Social Security Office. The appeal process ranges from a reconsideration through hearings and appeals levels to a review by the Federal courts.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Any change in address or other requirement (such as improvement of disabling condition or work activity) must be reported to the local Social Security Office when it occurs.
Audits
Persons are contacted periodically to see if they continue to qualify for benefits.
Records
Not applicable.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2002, an average of 6,983,000 disabled workers and their dependents received monthly cash benefits. It is estimated that for fiscal year 2003, an average of 7,363,000 disabled workers and their dependents will receive monthly cash benefits. During fiscal year 2004, the number receiving benefits is expected to increase to 7,784,000.
Financial Information
Account Identification
20-8007-0-7-651.
Obligations
(Benefit Payments) FY 02 $64,202,000,000; FY 03 est $73,444,000,000; and FY 04 est $77,950,000,000. (Note: These figures represent benefits actually paid, or expected to be paid.)
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Monthly cash benefits for a worker disabled in 2002 range up to a maximum of $2,028 based on the level of the worker's earnings and the age at which a worker becomes disabled. The corresponding maximum for such a worker with a family is $3,042.00 As of December 31, 2002, the average benefit paid to a disabled worker alone was $821 and the average amount payable to a disabled worker with eligible dependents was $1,396. This takes into account stipulations set forth in Public Law 96-265 and Public Law 97- 35. Under Public Law 97-123, the minimum amount is no longer applicable for workers who either become disabled or first met the insured status requirements after December 1981, and a lesser amount can be paid, depending on the worker's average earnings.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, Parts 401, 402, 404, 422, 423, 429, 430, and 498. "Disability" and other publications are available from any Social Security Office without charge. The Social Security internet address is www.ssa.gov and it includes copies of all disability-related laws, regulations, rulings, and free publications, as well as other information about the disability insurance programs.
Related Programs
17.302, Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation; 17.307, Coal Mine Workers' Compensation; 57.001, Social Insurance for Railroad Workers; 64.103, Life Insurance for Veterans; 93.560, Family Support Payments to States_Assistance Payments; 93.773, Medicare_Hospital Insurance; 93.774, Medicare_Supplementary Medical Insurance; 96.002, Social Security_Retirement Insurance; 96.005, Special Benefits for Disabled Coal Miners; 96.006, Supplemental Security Income.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Consult Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Office of Public Inquiries, Room 4100, Annex, Social Security Administration, Baltimore, MD 21235. Telephone: (410) 965-2736. Use the same number for FTS.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
