Definition of Disability Benefits
Disability benefits are benefits offered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs for individuals who have an injury which will last 12 continuous months and will not allow them to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA).
Disability benefits given by the Social Security Administration are not awarded to all disabled applicants; in fact, up to 70% of applicants are denied benefits when they apply. General reasons you could be denied disability benefits from the SSA include having a short term condition, lacking sufficient work credits to qualify for SSDI or SSA retirement benefits or having too many resources for SSI benefits. Claimants who are working too much or making too much money will not qualify for disability benefits.
Because most disability applicants are denied the first time they apply for SSDI or SSI benefits many disability applicants may decide to hire a disability lawyer to help them with their disability case. Disability lawyers work on a contingency basis and are only paid if they win the case. If they win they are paid 25% of the claimant's back pay up to a maximum of $6,000.