A recent report in the Asbury Park Press, which is part of the USA Today’s network of news outlets, dealt with a question about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability insurance (SSDI). Specifically, the article focused on whether SSI and SSDI benefits increase if a person’s disability becomes worse.
What Happens to SSI and SSDI Benefits If Your Disability Gets Worse?
The report in the Ashbury Park Press references the Social Security Administration’s website to explain how Social Security Disability works if a SSDI or SSI benefits recipient’s disability worsens. The short answer is that a person’s disability benefits do not increase if his or her disability gets worse. Social Security Disability payments are calculated based on a person’s average lifetime earnings prior to becoming disabled.
There are a couple of ways in which a person may be able to increase his or her disability benefit payment. If persons with disabilities goes back to work temporarily, that could raise the average of their lifetime earnings, which could increase their disability payments. The Social Security Administration has programs that allow persons with disabilities to return work temporarily without losing their disability benefits.
For more information about Social Security Disability, including what to do if your disability benefits application is denied, continue following our Tulsa Social Security Disability law firm’s blog and check out the video below.
