According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates, as many as 61 million people in the country are diagnosed with a physical or mental disability. That equals 26% of the country’s population. Thus, disability is something that will likely affect you or a close relative at some point in your life. Nowadays, one can apply online for disability benefits. So here’s everything one needs to know about disability benefits.

Available welfare services
Most people get disability payments through the government agency SSA (Social Security Administration). The SSA can help a person get covered under two schemes – SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income). These organizations help provide financial security to low-income families, mainly those with people who have been disabled or sick for a more extended period.

Eligibility
Every year, millions of people try to get disability payments, but only a small number of people avail of them. To qualify, one must be severely disabled or unable to work due to a medical condition. You can also qualify if you have had your illness for at least a year, if you expect to have it for at least a year, or if it is terminal. Children can qualify if the severity of their illness requires that they participate in fewer activities. If you are looking for disability benefits for your child, they will qualify if their medical condition(s) lasted for 12 months or are expected to have it for at least one year or if it is terminal. If you or your child meet the criteria mentioned above, you can submit a disability application online by filling out a simple form.

Documents required
Some forms of original age proof, such as a birth certificate and information regarding medical treatment sources (name, address, contact number, approximate treatment dates), are required while filing for Social Security Disability claim. Besides these, one should also have W-2 forms or comparable tax documents if self-employed, proof of citizenship status or lawful alien status for those born outside the country, and permanent and temporary documentation of all workers’ compensation and other compensation benefits received. Once you have these documents, you can complete the disability application online and begin your application process.

How to apply
Applying for disability benefits online is only available to those who meet the 18-year-old minimum age requirement, people who do not currently get any money from their personal Social Security, those with a medical condition that stops them from working and will likely endure for at least a year or cause death, and people who didn’t receive their first disability claim denial in the last 60 days.

Monthly benefits
One can expect an average monthly payout of $1,358 this year. According to experts, this number is expected to climb to $1,483 by next year. These benefits are based on a person’s average lifetime earnings, not their current income or the severity of the disability. One can find their estimated benefits in the “Estimated Benefits” section of one’s yearly Social Security statement. Between 150% and 180% of the disabled employee’s benefit is available to the worker’s family. A spouse, ex-spouse, child, disabled child, or adult child who became disabled before age 22 may qualify as a family member. The average monthly benefit for workers with a disability, their spouse, and dependent children is expected to rise to $2,616 next year. However, all monetary values must be adjusted annually to account for inflation.

Social Security disability payments can be claimed as soon as a working person becomes disabled. The application process can take between three and five months to complete. These months will be shortened from the mandatory five-month waiting period. This period must be served after the beginning of the disability.