Clearing Up Misconceptions About SSDI

1. Social Security Disability - Myths vs. Facts
CLEARING UP MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SSDI

2. A Misunderstood Program
People misunderstand Social Security
Disability for several reasons. The program
has been used as a hot-button issue by
politicians, which is enough to muddy the
waters on any subject. But SSDI is also
more complex than many people realize.
Some of the myths that surround SSDI are
rooted in ill-informed cultural biases, while
others stem from the complexity of the
program itself.

3. Myth 1
MYTH:
Many SSDI beneficiaries aren’t really
disabled.
FACT:
The SSDI program has a thorough
screening process to ensure that all
beneficiaries are suffering from a disability
or serious illness. Most beneficiaries have
also worked for a good portion of their
lives, and their payments are based on that
income.

4. Myth 2
MYTH:
SSDI replaces all income.
FACT:
Benefits are determined by the average
taxable earnings for an applicant’s years of
employment - the Primary Insurance
Amount. PIA varies for each applicant,
depending on the amount they have
earned and other benefits they might
receive.

5. Myth 3
MYTH:
Once you get benefits, you’re
guaranteed them for life.
FACT:
Once approved for benefits, an SSDI
recipient is not guaranteed lifetime
benefits. The Social Security
Administration periodically reviews
medical records to determine if a
beneficiary should keep their benefits.

6. Myth 4
MYTH:
SSDI will include back pay from
the time of your disability.
FACT:
Back pay can’t exceed beyond one year
prior to the initial application. There is
also a mandatory five-month waiting
period for SSDI benefits from the date of
onset, so applicants cannot receive benefits
until the sixth full month following the
onset date of their disability - if this date
does not exceed 12 months prior to the
initial application.

7. Myth 5
MYTH:
The application process is the same
for all disabilities.
FACT:
The SSA will make special considerations
for people with terminal illnesses and
serious rare diseases. The process, much
like the application process for any
applicant, is not perfect, but it does
provide an opportunity for people with the
most serious illnesses to receive benefits
more quickly.

8. Myth 6
MYTH:
Everyone gets denied on the first
application.
FACT:
Around 75 percent of applicants are denied
benefits upon their initial application,
which probably explains why this myth
exists. However, only a little over one-third
of applicants are ever approved for
benefits. This means that most SSDI
beneficiaries are approved after their
initial application.

9. Myth 7
MYTH:
SSDI benefits will take care of a
recipient's financial problems.
FACT:
In 2015, the average monthly benefit
received was $1,165.79. Contrary to the
myth, SSDI benefits aren’t a way for people
live a life of luxury. Recipients have
typically worked for years and they receive
much-needed payments that help them get
by.

10. Learning More About SSDI
If you’d like to learn more about SSDI
benefits and the application process, we
encourage you to visit the following pages.
 More Myths About SSDI and SSI
 Understanding Commonly Used SSDI
Terms
 How SSDI Benefits are Calculated
 Social Security Disability Frequently
Asked Questions
 SSDI Determination Process

11. The Importance of an Attorney
Applying for benefits can be a confusing
and sometimes overwhelming process. It’s
important to enlist the services of an
attorney experienced with SSDI to
maximize your chances of being approved.
An SSDI attorney will know how to best
prepare your application and, if necessary,
how to proceed through the appeals
process.

12. Need Help? Contact
John R. Colvin
If you’re seeking SSDI benefits in
Tennessee, contact John R. Colvin to talk to
an experienced SSDI attorney. John Colvin
knows how important these benefits are to
disabled clients, and he fights to make sure
they get the payment they deserve.
To contact us today, simply fill out
our online form, or call us at (877)
468-8908 for your free consultation.