4 Important Changes for 2022 that Could Affect Your Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits

 Every year the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) makes important changes to the monetary thresholds associated with Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits. It is important to know about these changes, so you are in compliance with SSA’s requirements. 

1.     SSA Announces a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (“COLA”) for 2022

The Social Security Administration has announced a 5.9 percent benefit increase for 2022. This cost-of-living adjustment (“COLA”) will begin on December 30, 2021 for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) beneficiaries. Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) and Social Security Retirement recipients will see the effects of the COLA in their January 2022 benefit payments. This is the largest COLA in close to 40 years.

2.      SSA has increased the threshold value for full-time work.

In order to be found disabled under SSA’s definition of disability, you must be able to prove that you are unable to earn a certain monetary value due to the limitations from your disability.  This value is referred to as “Substantial Gainful Activity (“SGA”). If you are able to work at SGA levels, SSA will not consider you to be disabled. For 2022, that monthly rate is $1,350.00 for a non-blind individual and $2,260.00 for a blind individual. Thus, if you are able to earn such monthly earnings, in spite of any impairment that you have, then you are not disabled under SSA’s definition of disability.

3.      SSA has increased the amount that a person can earn during a Trial Work Period.

SSA allows SSDI recipients to test their ability to work in a program called a Trial Work Period (“TWP”). During a TWP, a SSDI recipient is able to work for 9 month period without being at risk for losing his/her benefits. These months do not have to be consecutive. Specifically, SSA looks to see whether an individual can earn at certain levels over a rolling 60 month period. If a person exceeds certain monetary levels for 9 months (even if not consecutive) over a 5 year period, then the TWP has been exhausted. SSA will then look to see if a person has exceeded SGA values (see above) to determine whether or not, the person is still under a disability. For 2022, SSA will consider any month in which a SSDI recipient earns more than $970.00 to be a month in which goods and services have been performed at a TWP level.

4.      SSA has increased the value of a quarter of coverage.

In order to receive SSDI benefits, you must be insured for benefits. This means you must have paid into the Social Security system through the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“FICA”). An individual must have worked a sufficient amount of quarters to be entitled to these benefits. Every year a person can earn up to 4 quarters. For 2022, one quarter of coverage is $1,510.00. This means you must earn at least $6,040.00 for 2022 in order to obtain all 4 quarters for the year. 

Got a question about SSDI or SSI that you need us to answer? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with helpful information on our website that will allow you to successfully navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to email me your questions at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call me at (800) 459-3017 x 101.

10 Interesting Statistics About The Social Security Disability Insurance Program

Last month, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) published their statistics addressing the Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) program for 2020.   The findings were outlined in a 218-page document that is available at this link: https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_asr/2020/di_asr20.pdf. Among the many statistics, below are 10 interesting highlights from the 2020 publication.

1.      SSA paid disability benefits to 9.5 million people.

2.      The average age for a recipient of SSDI benefits was 55.

3.      The average monthly payment amount issued to a beneficiary was $1,277.55.

4.      The majority of cases granted were based on musculoskeletal system and connective tissue disorders.

5.      West Virginia had the highest rate of individuals on SSDI per resident population at 8.4%.

6.      Hawaii and Utah tied for the lowest rate of individuals on SSDI per resident population at 2.6%.

7.      Benefits were stopped for 892,811 disabled workers.

8.      One out of ten recipients of SSDI benefits were also eligible for Supplemental Security Income payments.

9.      More men were on disability benefits than women.

10.  In December of 2020, almost $11.6 billion was paid to disability beneficiaries.

Got a question about SSDI or SSI that you need us to answer? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with helpful information on our website that will allow you to successfully navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to email me your questions at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call me at (800) 459-3017 x 101.