Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are intended to assist U.S. citizens with long-term disabilities by providing monthly payments to those who face significant limitations in their ability to earn a living. To be eligible for these benefits, a person with a disability must have a condition that extends for a period of one year or more and prevents him or her from financially supporting him or herself.
However, on many occasions, beneficiaries find that the monthly allowances alone are not sufficient and seek other forms of support.
The primary benefit, awarded monthly, has recently undergone a 5.9% adjustment in 2023 due to cost of living increases. This results in an average payment of $1,358 per month for single individuals or $2,383 for families. However, SSDI comes with additional benefits.
What other benefits are available through SSDI?
Actually, all SSDI beneficiaries are eligible for a number of additional benefits that are part of the SSDI program. These benefits cover a wide range of options, including health care coverage, payments for dependents, attorney exemptions, and many more. In addition, you may be eligible for other benefits through different programs while you remain an SSDI beneficiary.
These programs include Supplemental Security Income, Medicare, Medicaid, private disability and workers’ compensation insurance, VA disability benefits, food and heating assistance, and others. You can find detailed information about these benefits on the Social Security Administration’s website.
The SSA automatically enrolls you in Medicare after you get SSDI benefits for two years. Medicare is a government-sponsored health insurance plan that consists of Part A and Part B.
In addition, family benefits are an option if you have children under the age of 18, a spouse, or a disabled adult who got the diagnosis before age 22. In certain cases, even divorced spouses are eligible for these benefits. SSDI-related attorney benefits are also available in addition to return-to-work benefits and survivor benefits, as well as additional benefits for low-income U.S. citizens.