Can I Receive More Social Security Disability If I Get Another Condition Or Illness?The amount of an individual's Social Security Disability benefit does not depend upon the quantity of medical and/or physical conditions or illnesses. In fact, the severity of an individual's condition or illness has nothing to do with the amount of their disability benefit amount either. An individual's earnings prior to becoming disabled are what determine the amount of their monthly disability benefit. Each year, an individual's earnings are reported to the IRS and recorded on a Social Security Earnings record. Social Security is responsible for maintaining and correcting individual earnings records. Keeping this in mind, you can see that the number of illnesses or conditions an individual has or acquires while receiving Social Security Disability has nothing to do with the amount of their monthly disability benefit. At this point, you may be wondering if there is anyway to increase an individual's disability benefit amount. Unfortunately, there are very few ways that an individual's disability benefit can be increased. Ways to increase benefits I can think of only two ways an individual's monthly disability benefit amount can be increased. 1. Disability benefit amounts can be increased through cost of living increases or by work activity. Most years, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability beneficiaries receive an increase in their disability benefits to account for inflation. 2. The only other way an individual's disability benefit can increase is through work activity. Work activity and Social Security Disability entitlement are a tricky situation. Part of the definition of Social Security Disability is that an individual must have a medically determinable mental or medical impairment that has prevented them from working and earning SGA (a monthly earnings amount) for at least twelve continuous months, or is expected to prevent SGA work for twelve months. This means that, to be approved for disability, you must be unable to perform substantial work activity (SGA stands for substantial gainful activity). So working could actually cause an individual's disability benefit to be suspended or even terminated. Even though work activity can cause problems for disability beneficiaries, those who have not worked much, or have very low earnings amounts in the years prior to becoming disabled, may find that even work that is not SGA may cause an increase in their monthly disability benefit amount. However, most Social Security Disability beneficiaries will have no increase in their disability benefit amount other than cost of living increases. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Can you receive short-term disability if you receive SSDI checks? Will my disability pay go back to the day I became disabled? How far back will they go on a disability back payment? What is considered a Disabling medical condition by Social Security? Can you File for Disability for more than one Condition? How Disabling Does A Condition Have To Be For Social Security Disability, SSDI Benefits? Receiving Benefits - Your Medical Condition and Social Security Disability or SSI What Conditions Qualify For Social Security Disability? Receiving disability for a mental condition in North Carolina What condition or conditions qualifies for disability in North Carolina? Social Security Disability Approvals - Medical Conditions and Getting Approved If Social Security says you have an overpayment can you have a hearing by a judge? If you apply for disability in Maryland Will I qualify for disability benefits in Maryland? Getting a Disability Lawyer in Maryland |
