I receive disability.

The amount it pays is variable. It depends on how much u made and how many years u worked.

I would be hard-pressed 2 live on my disability alone. There is special housing that one can apply for that will take 1/3 of yr disability 4 rent.

Mine goes directly into my savings account.

I was going through a divorce and could not find professional employment. When I did finally find a job, I could only keep it for 3 weeks. It was just too emotionally heavy for me at that time.

I m currently working with Vocational Rehabilitation. I have had 5 jobs since I left my ex. I am looking for another.

I've been on it for 7yrs from my BP. If you feel you need it, GO for it if you qualify. You could do some volunteer work if feel bad about getting it.

Here's what I found;

How Much in Social Security Disability Benefits Can You Get?
The amount of Social Security disability you receive each month is based on your average lifetime earnings before your disability began.
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Gavel and Scales
by Beth Laurence, J.D.
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If you are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI, or sometimes just SSD) benefits, the amount you receive each month will be based on your average lifetime earnings before your disability began. It is not based on how severe your disability is or how much income you have. Most SSDI recipients receive between $700 and $1,700 per month (the average for 2015 is $1,165). However, if you are receiving disability payments from other sources, as discussed below, your payment may be reduced.

Calculating Your Social Security Disability Payment

The amount of money you will receive from Social Security on a monthly basis is unique for every individual. This is due to the fact that the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a complex weighted formula in order to calculate benefits for each person, up to the maximum benefit of $2,663 (in 2015).

Social Security bases your retirement and disability benefits on the amount of income on which you've paid Social Security taxescalled "covered earnings." Your average covered earnings over a period of years is known as your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). A formula is applied to your AIME to calculate your primary insurance amount (PIA)the base figure the SSA uses in setting your benefit amount. The formula consists of fixed percentages of different amounts of income (called "bend points," which are adjusted each year). For example, in 2011, 90% of the first $749 of your AIME was added to your PIA, plus 32% of your AIME from $749 to $4,517, plus 15% of your AIME over $4,517. The amounts are added up to come up with your PIA.

To see your entire covered earnings history, you can check your annual Social Security Statement. Social Security sends out printed statements every five years to those not receving benefits, and every year to those over 60. You can also check your statement online at www.ssa.gov/mystatement/. (If you want to enter salary information yourself rather than rely on your earnings record and Social Security's estimate of your future earnings, you can use the SSA's online benefits calculator at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/benefitcalculators.htm.) You can also call your local Social Security office and a field representative will be able to help you estimate what your benefits would be.


The only thing I urge you to do is get Medicare if you qualify, A and B. They pay 80% of your med bills after deductible is met and make sure you have taxes taken out of your money. Last thing you need is to have the IRS on your back!~ lol!

Their Pharmacy ( I think is D? or C) benefits cost is very very high

They do have Medicare Advantage which covers A, B and D-C ( can never remember which letter) . My PC office doesn't accept that plan so investigate before you do anything to make sure all your docs take that Medicare Advantage plan

They also take your Medicare out of your pay as well.

I think daft covered it pretty well.

Do not be ashamed of applying !
If you can't work, you can't work.

If you have worked in the past, you paid into the system, you deserve what you can get !

The Part D is Drug Coverage..... that can get tricky.=, because there are many Part D Drug Plans available . Some are costly , some have a zero deductible and zero co-pay for meds.

It depends on what meds you take .

Once you do qualify for Medicare, you can call the 800 phone number and get a real live person on the phone.

Have your meds all lined up in front of you. You tell Medicare the meds you take and they enter it into their computer and will come up with a variety of plans, depending on if you want zero deductible and low co-pays ...Medicare can even set you up on your Part D Drug Plan over the phone.

NOTE : You will need to call Medicare yearly, because your Part D Drug Plan can often change in just 1 year.

Med costs can go up and also monthly premiums too.

Medicare people are very helpful, so don't be intimidated by calling

Good luck

You could also work part-time and get SSI and they'll address your payments accordingly

I just applied for disability a lot depends on ur income and if your single or not. I've been trying to keep a job in my career for 3 years last job fired me for illness( calling in to much which at that time they could do) this job I'm at now is way to stressful and when I call in I honestly get yelled at. The proses here is long and a lot of hoops to jump and monthly check ins with income status. I got about $775 for a couple plus all my medical needs which is like a good $200 a month. Here $775 is almost my basment apartments rents (add 100) so even that will help and hopefully I'll get a pdoc with going on disability

At 18 you almost positively would not qualify for SSD or SSDI. The amount of your monthly check is determined by how many credits you have. The Credits are earned by the years you've worked throughout your life. You have to have a Certain amount of Credits in order to be eligible.

You'd also have to have multiple Dr.'s Records, notes, testing, procedures, etc. saying why you're not able to work and require Disability. Then you'd only get a percentage of what you had been making when you became Disabled.

Sorry I doubt you'd be eligible, but you could call any Disability Lawyer and tell them your situation, age, work history, etc. and they'd be able to tell you.

take care.

OCP and daft really answered your question well - so did everybody.

I decided to apply for it when it was clear I couldn't work at my "career" anymore and wasn't trained to do anything else AND couldn't be around people -- big obstacle in the workplace.

I applied and was accepted my first time, I get about $1K/month which doesn't pay for diddly squat so it's a good thing I have free health care and med coverage AND my hubby works and has insurance.

Never be ashamed to or think you're being lazy. SSDI is made for people who cannot work, whether it is a physical, a mental or another type of problem!

But, in all honesty, I have to agree with OCP. You have to have PUT INTO the Social security system by paying credits from your job before you are eligible for receiving benefits. My mother never worked so she never received SS. So even if you're not disabled, it's the same rule.

I hope this thread has been informative for you, zombie. Good luck!