Getting Social Security disability benefits is a lengthy process, especially if you are initially denied and need to appeal the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) initial decision. In fact, it can take several months to schedule a hearing alone. So, how can disabled people financially survive while going through the appeals process?
There are a few options that disabled people may consider while appealing for benefits. Many states offer interim disability benefits that have to be repaid after getting approval. Other assistance programs, such as SNAP and TANF, are also available.
Read below to find out more about how you can survive financially while going through the SSA’s lengthy appeals process.
Ways to Survive Financially During SSA Appeals
Following are some ways that claimants can use to survive financially as they go through the lengthy appeals process.
Interim Disability Programs
According to the Social Security Administration, the state’s Interim Disability Assistance Program offers temporary monetary assistance to those going through the appeals process. However, some states, like South Carolina, are not part of the Interim Disability Assistance program.
If this program is offered in your state, you must meet the financial requirements set forth by that state. The Interim Disability Assistance program is, in simple terms, a loan that helps you meet your basic monetary obligations.
If you qualify for this program, the state will provide you with money to cover your expenses until you start receiving disability benefits. When that happens, your home state will likely demand repayment.
If you need assistance understanding the ins and outs of these programs, a Social Security disability attorney or a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) advocate may be able to help.
Short-Term Disability Benefits
Short-term disability benefits, commonly known as temporary disability insurance, can be applied for at your local Department of Social Services office if you live in either of the five US states that offer (or oblige employers to pay) such benefits.
At the moment, the only states that offer short-term disability benefits are:
- California
- Hawaii
- New Jersey
- Rhode Island
- New York
While the specifics of each state’s disability program vary, in general, they can help you make ends meet while you wait for Social Security disability benefits.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a federally funded program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the United States. The TANF program offers financial help to low-income families with children for a certain period. The money can be used to cover day-to-day costs.
While the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program receives federal funding, it is administered on a state level; hence, details such as the following vary from state to state:
- Eligibility requirements for TANF
- Benefit amount
- Benefit period
The HHS provides an interactive map on their website, where you can learn more about TANF and how to apply for aid in your state.
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), originally known as food stamps, is a program managed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is designed to help you put food on the table while you wait for the acceptance of your disability benefits.
To be eligible for SNAP, you will need to meet specific income and asset criteria. However, these requirements vary among states.
In certain states, for instance, your car won’t be counted as an asset. In addition, depending on the state in which you reside, you may or may not be able to deduct child support payments from your overall income.
Since the income and resource requirements for SNAP and Supplemental Security Income/TANF are so similar, most people who qualify for these programs will also qualify for SNAP. You may be eligible for this food assistance program if you have very little or no income and are waiting for the approval of your Social Security benefits.
Visit your neighborhood SNAP office to learn more and start the application process. Most Social Security Administration offices also accept SNAP applications.
Private Disability Benefits
Many companies provide private, no-cost disability insurance plans for both short and long term disabilities. Check to see if you have access to a policy, as well as what it offers. However, you must have a policy in place before your health issue is diagnosed in order to receive compensation.
If you have life insurance, the policy may additionally cover disability costs with a “rider.” A rider is an optional coverage or feature you can add to your life insurance policy, often for an additional cost. Riders can help cover life events that your standard policy does not. Riders can provide benefits for critical illnesses and more while you are still alive. Read the fine print of your insurance to find out if your health condition is covered.
Personal Loans
A loan, on the other hand, can give you the money you need to get by in the meantime. However, there is no assurance that your disability claim will be accepted. If it isn’t, you could be putting yourself in a more difficult financial position if you need to continue to make loan payments while appealing the denial.
Another thing to keep in mind is that certain financial institutions may advertise a “disability loan,” but in reality, this is just a personal loan disguised under a different name. Personal loans frequently come with hefty interest rates, indicating that repaying them is going to become more difficult with each passing day and month.
Therefore, although getting a loan is possible, it’s not always the ideal choice, and you should probably save it for when all other options have been exhausted. Too many people get into long-term debt after taking out a loan to cover temporary expenses due to a disability.
Can I Work While Waiting for Disability Benefits?
If you are in the process of appealing for disability benefits and are concerned about how you will make ends meet while you wait, you will be happy to find that you can continue to work during this time. But doing so can also bring about a few complications.
SSDI applicants are not allowed to earn more than the amount determined to be “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). In 2023, the monthly SGA limit is $1,470. The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals in 2024 will be $2,590 and for non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA amount in 2024 will be $1,550.
Since SSI is a needs-based benefit, it is impossible to qualify for this benefit if you have a considerable income or other assets. To make matters even more complicated, the calculation of what counts as income and what counts as assets is complex, with only specific types of income and assets being considered.
Conclusion
So, while going through the lengthy appeals process can be financially challenging for those with no other source of income, there are several programs designed to assist in such situations. A disability attorney or SSA advocate can also help you get the benefits you need as you go through this trying time.
