How Can I Increase My SSDI?

You may have a chance to increase your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits by submitting a request to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

However, the SSA will only increase your benefits in specific situations, generally if you’ve had a major change in your life.

Life circumstances can change unexpectedly, and if your situation changes, you or a family member might qualify for higher SSDI benefits. An Atlanta social security disability lawyer can provide general information on how to increase your SSDI benefits.

How Can You Increase Your SSDI Benefits?

In general, the Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates SSDI benefits based on your earnings. Therefore, there are not many ways to increase benefits on your own. However, there are a few life changes that can increase your benefits.

Your benefits may change after:

The Death of a Spouse

If your spouse, or an ex-spouse, has passed away, you might get survivor benefits. You might be eligible for higher benefits based on a deceased spouse’s work. If an ex-spouse has died, you might get survivor benefits even if you’re already receiving benefits from another spouse.

You Reach Retirement Age

Depending on your birth year, your retirement age is between 66 and 67. If you’re at retirement age or older, your SSDI benefits will automatically change to retirement benefits. This adjustment may come with a change to how much money you receive or may allow you to work to supplement your income.

The Death of an Adult Child

If an adult child has died, you might be eligible for parents’ benefits, which can increase the benefits you receive through SSDI under certain circumstances. For example, you could qualify if your child had enough work credits to be eligible for SSDI and provided at least half of your income support.

You Take Charge of a Disabled Child

Caring for a disabled child can also increase your benefits. For example, suppose you are caring for a child who became disabled before age 22 or under age 16. In that case, they could be eligible for additional benefits through your spouse’s or your work.

Factors That Influence Your SSDI Benefits

Some factors will influence your disability benefits from the time you qualify for funds from the SSA. For example, you may receive additional benefits based on:

Your Work

If you have worked, you could be eligible for higher disability or retirement benefits based on your work. This eligibility can vary from person to person, so for more in-depth information on how your work could qualify for additional benefits, speak to one of our Social Security Disability lawyers.

A Former Marriage

You could be eligible for benefits based on an ex-spouse’s work if you are at least 62 years old, currently unmarried, and your former marriage lasted for at least 10 years.

Based on the legal precedent of your former marriage, there’s no guarantee that you can get benefits.

Past Military Service

You could receive additional benefits through the Veterans Health Administration (VA) if you:

• Have former U.S. military service
• Receive SSDI or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Experience a loss of income or resources

An attorney can give you more information about the impact of your military service on your monthly payment. A lawyer can also explain the difference between SSI and SSDI, and whether you can receive both SSDI and SSI benefits.

Your SSDI Benefits May Increase Every Year

The SSA generally increases disability payments every year due to cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). You do not have to do anything to secure this increase. It should happen automatically when the SSA handles a recalculation of disability benefits.

An attorney can give you more information about COLA changes and how you can increase your SSDI benefits.

How to Find Out the Full Amount of Your SSDI Benefits

The SSA offers a Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) that you can use to determine your benefits eligibility. The questionnaire will tell you if you’re eligible and what benefits you qualify to receive.

If you think you qualify for more SSDI benefits, a Social Security Disability lawyer can help.

How to Maximize the Benefits You Receive from SSDI

You can maximize your disability payments by providing detailed, thorough information when applying. Also, apply for disability benefits as soon as you can after becoming disabled. To be eligible for benefits, you must meet the SSA’s strict criteria:

• You must have earned enough work credits by paying into Social Security
• You must meet the SSA’s disability definition and have been disabled (or be expected to be disabled) for at least a year
• You must be unable to earn substantial gainful activity (SGA)

Provide as much documentation of your condition as possible. Ask for help from your doctor in communicating your diagnosis. Be specific about how your condition prevents you from doing things.

The more you can show how your condition is disabling, the better your chances of approval. Even if you qualify, the SSA could deny your application due to a lack of information.

An attorney can walk you through all the steps of the application process to improve your chances of getting the benefits you deserve.

Update the Social Security Administration About Any Changes

If anything changes in your life, let the SSA know right away. If you might be eligible for higher benefits, you’ll want to start receiving them as soon as possible.

If you need to retire early because of your condition, consider applying for SSDI benefits first. You may avoid a lower retirement benefit by doing so. Then, you can start getting Social Security benefits when you reach retirement age.

Consider Other Types of Benefits

You might be eligible for additional benefits besides your SSDI each month. Look into other governmental assistance you might qualify to receive.

You might also consider local social services or assistance programs in your area.

Why Hiring an SSDI Lawyer Is Important

The SSA doesn’t make it easy for anyone to receive benefits, let alone increase the amount of benefits it gives out to each person. Despite the difficulty surrounding applying for and increasing SSDI benefits, you aren’t alone in your struggle. A lawyer can help you by:

• Reviewing all aspects of your application and disability case
• Assisting you throughout the application or appeal process to ensure everything goes smoothly
• Handle all your communications with the SSA and other parties involved
• Represent you and your best interests at all times

Remember, SSDI isn’t a handout or applying for charity. You earned these benefits by paying into them throughout your time working. So, don’t feel guilty about pursuing the proper amount of benefits you think you deserve, or for studying how you can increase your SSDI.

Talk to Us About Increasing Your SSDI Benefits

So, how can you increase your SSDI benefits? You might increase your SSDI if specific life changes happen. However, SSDI benefits can be complicated and confusing. It’s best to consult with a Social Security Disability lawyer to know your options.

At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been helping SSDI applicants for over 20 years. We know the ins and outs of the system and how the SSA handles claims. To schedule your FREE consultation, call us or contact us online. We can explain what SSDI is and how it works.

If you’re looking to increase your SSDI benefits, you probably don’t have lots of spare cash lying around to pay upfront for exorbitant legal fees. Don’t worry. Our lawyers will never charge you anything up front.

Our primary goal is to help you maximize your benefits. If we can’t do this for you, you owe us absolutely nothing in return.