Q & A
My wife has received Social Security disability for several years because of a progressive illness. Her health recently took a turn for the worse, and we were wondering if she might receive a larger amount because of this.
Answer: Best wishes to your wife, but declining health will not change her SSA disability amount because it is based largely on her earnings while still working. SSA disability requirements include both having enough work and meeting a strict medical definition of disability based on inability to work. While details are on the SSA website athttp://1.usa.gov/19Xprbp, basics are that a person cannot do the work previously done, cannot perform other work due to their medical condition and must have a disability that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least a full year. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial or short-term impairments. Since your wife already met this work related definition of disability, and because her benefit amount is based on her past work history, becoming more disabled will not change her amount. She did receive an increased amount with the 2014 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
If you prefer visiting in person, know that most local Social Security offices are open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and 9 a.m. to Noon on Wednesday. A few small offices have different hours. Severe weather or an unanticipated event can force a temporary office closure. Before traveling, go online to check the Office Closings page in the Items of Interest section of www.socialsecurity.gov. The page is updated hourly so check for the latest information before leaving home. Travel safe.
Source: Howard Kossover, farmforum.ney – January 10, 2014 (Based in Grand Forks, Howard I. Kossover is the Social Security Public Affairs Specialist for North Dakota and western Minnesota. Send general interest questions to him at [email protected]. Read his online articles at http://socialsecurityinfo.areavoices.com).