When a serious illness or injury leaves you unable to work, the financial impact can be overwhelming. Regular living expenses don’t stop, and medical bills can pile up quickly. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides a vital safety net that can help you recover financially. At Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, our Social Security Disability lawyers help injured workers throughout the greater NYC area with SSDI claims and appeals. Here, we explain how Social Security Disability benefits can offer financial relief and peace of mind.
What is Social Security Disability Insurance?
SSDI is a federal program that’s designed to provide monthly income to individuals who are unable to work because of a disability or illness. Unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is need-based, SSDI is based on your employment history and the work credits you’ve earned through payroll taxes. To qualify for SSDI, applicants must meet the definition of a disability as outlined by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This means that you must not be able to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
If you’re unsure about whether you qualify for SSDI, our Staten Island SSDI attorneys can take a look at your work history and medical condition and determine whether you may be eligible for benefits.
Advantages of Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits in New York
There are many ways in which SSDI benefits can help alleviate the financial strain that you may be feeling.
Cash Benefits
Monthly Social Security Disability payments can help you cover all kinds of expenses, including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, grocery bills, transportation, and out-of-pocket medical costs. The amount you receive in SSDI benefits depends on your prior income and work history.
The SSA’s Compassionate Allowance program and Five-Year Rule can expedite the SSDI claims process for those who need to get benefits quickly. Having a Social Security Disability lawyer in the greater NYC area assist you with claims and appeals gives you the best chance of receiving the benefits you need in a timely manner.
Medicare Coverage
If you receive SSDI benefits for 24 months, you automatically become eligible for Medicare, regardless of your age. Medicare can help you get the vital medical treatment you need, and helps cover expenses such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications. Medicare is truly a lifesaver, especially for those battling chronic conditions that require frequent or costly medical care.
Additional Benefits for Dependents
If you’re approved for SSDI benefits, family members such as minor children or a spouse caring for a child may also be eligible to receive auxiliary benefits. Family benefits are paid according to the SSDI recipient’s work history and are subject to a maximum.
How Retroactive SSDI Benefits and Back Pay Can Help Your Financial Stability
The application and approval process for Social Security Disability benefits can be lengthy. Unfortunately, most applications are denied the first time, and appeals can take months or even years to be resolved. However, back pay and retroactive SSDI benefits can be a significant help once you’re approved to receive SSDI payments.
- Backpay covers the time period between the date your application was submitted and the date it was approved.
- Retroactive Social Security Disability benefits may be paid for up to 12 months before your application date if you can prove your disability began earlier.
These SSDI payments are usually paid in a lump sum and can be used to pay off debts, catch up on bills, or even create a small emergency fund. Our Social Security Disability attorneys can help you understand the differences between retroactive and back pay and ensure you get all the benefits you’re entitled to receive.
How SSDI Helps in the Long Term
SSDI is designed to provide long-term support for those who are permanently or severely disabled. Regular, predictable Social Security Disability payments ensure you receive some kind of income each month. Payments are also adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases. Knowing how much you’re going to receive each month can make it easier to budget and manage your expenses. People who receive SSDI are often eligible for other benefits as well, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and programs that help pay for housing and utilities.
Receiving SSDI can also ensure that your time off work due to your disability won’t negatively affect your future Social Security retirement benefits. If you’re receiving SSDI when you reach full retirement age, your benefits will automatically be converted into regular retirement benefits.
Flexibility if You’re Thinking of Returning to Work
If your condition improves and you want to test your ability to work, the SSA offers programs that allow you to do so without losing your benefits right away.
The SSA’s Trial Work Period (TWP) allows you to work for up to nine months and still receive full Social Security Disability benefits regardless of how much you earn.
After the trial work period, the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) gives you a 36-month window to work and still receive benefits if your monthly earnings are less than Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) levels. In 2025, it is $1620 per month and $2700 per month for blind individuals.
How Our Staten Island Social Security Disability Attorneys Can Help
Our SSDI lawyers know that being unable to work can put you and your family in a precarious financial situation. Don’t lose hope – over the past 30 years, our team has helped thousands of workers in the greater New York City area get the workers’ compensation and SSDI benefits they need to safeguard their health and financial security.
We know how to prepare your application, so it includes all required evidence and represent you in appeals and hearings if necessary. Having an experienced, compassionate Social Security Disability attorney by your side can take some of the weight off your shoulders and significantly improve your odds of approval.
Our SSDI attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t incur any up-front costs and we only get paid if we win your case. Attorney and Partner Rolando Cubela provides top-notch legal representation to our Spanish-speaking clients.
Contact a Staten Island Social Security Disability Lawyer to Learn More
If you need help with an SSDI application or appeal, our caring Social Security Disability attorneys at Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, are here to help you get back on your feet. Call 718-273-9000 or contact us to schedule a consultation with an SSDI lawyer in the greater NYC area today.
