Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 11, 2025 Savvy Senior by Jim Miller Who’s Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits? Dear Savvy Senior, What do I need to do to get disability benefits from Social Security? I’m 60 years old and have a medical condition that doesn’t allow me to work at my job anymore, but I’ve read that getting disability benefits is very difficult. Need Help Dear Need, Getting Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI) when you’re unable to work can indeed be challenging. Each year, approximately 2 million people apply for SSDI, but around two-thirds of them are denied, because most applicants fail to prove that they’re disabled and can’t work. Here are some steps you can take that can help improve your odds. Are You Disabled? The first thing you need to find out is if your health condition qualifies you for Social Security disability benefits. You generally will be eligible only if you have a physical or mental impairment severe enough that it prevents you from working in your current, or past line of work, for at least a year. There is no such thing as a partial disability benefit. If you’re fit enough to work part-time, and you’re earning more than $1,620 ($2,700 if you’re blind) a month on average in 2025, your application will be denied. But, if you’re not working or are working but earning below those limits, your application may be considered. Your skills, education and work experience are factors too. Your application will be denied if your work history suggests that you could perform a less physically demanding job that your disability does not prevent you from doing. To help you determine if you’re eligible, use the SSA Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool at SSAbest. benefits.gov. How to Apply If you believe you have a claim, your next step is to gather up your personal, financial and medical information so you can be prepared and organized for the application process. You can apply either online at SSA.gov/disability or call 800-7721213 to make an appointment to apply at your local Social Security office, or to set up an appointment for someone to take your claim over the phone. The whole process lasts about an hour. If you schedule an appointment, a “Disability Starter Kit” that will help you get ready for your interview will be mailed to you. If you apply online, the kit is available at SSA.gov/disability/ disability_starter_kits.htm. It currently takes six to eight months from the initial application to receive either an award or denial of benefits. The only exception is if you have a chronic illness that qualifies you for a “compassionate allowance” (see SSA. gov/compassionateallowances), which fast tracks cases within weeks. If Social Security denies your initial application, you can appeal the decision, and you’ll be happy to know that roughly half of all cases that go through a round or two of appeals end with benefits being awarded. But the bad news is, with a huge backlog of people waiting, it can take another eight to 10 months or longer to appeal the decision, and another 15 months to get a hearing if reconsideration is denied. Get Help You can hire a representative to help you with your Social Security disability claim. By law, representatives can charge only 25 percent of past-due benefits up to a maximum of $9,200 if they win your case. It’s probably worth hiring someone at the start of the application process if your disability is something difficult to prove such as chronic pain. If, however, your disability is obvious, it might be worth initially working without a representative to avoid paying the fee. You can always hire a representative later if your initial application and first appeal are denied. To find a representative, check with the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (nosscr.org) or National Association of Disability Representatives (nadr.org). Or, if you’re low-income, contact the Legal Services Corporation (lsc.gov/ find-legal-aid) for free assistance. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 1. On July 11, 1804, what famous duel happened in Weehawken, N.J.? 2. What USA city has a Historic Voodoo Museum? 3. On July 12 in what year did Geraldine Ferraro become the first female nominee for vice president: 1979, 1984 or 1994? 4. The Vegetable Orchestra, which creates instruments from fresh veggies, is based in what city that has been the residence of many composers? 5. What country are Great Danes native to: Denmark, France or Germany? 6. On July 13, 1977, what city had an approximately 24-hour electrical blackout? 7. What author of Concord, Mass., said, “[M]y greatest skill has been to want but little”? 8. Are yetis (wild men) only found in the Himalayas? 9. In 1973 the Wall of Sound was created for what band: AC/DC, Grateful Dead or Queen? 10. July 14 in France is Bastille Day; who sent the key to the Bastille to George Washington in 1790? 11. How are Arnold Palmer, Shirley Temple and Virgin Mary similar? 12. What word meaning “bird” was first used to mean men who enlisted in order to get food and clothing in winter? 13. On July 15, 2006, what social media site was launched that was later renamed? 14. What was the first sport at the ancient Olympic games: discus throw, sprint or javelin? 15. The 32nd chapter of “Moby-Dick” is titled “Cetology,” which means what? 16. On July 16, 1935, the first parking meters in the world were installed in what city that has a name that includes its state’s name? 17. In 1968 candidate Richard Nixon appeared on “Laugh In” and said what catchphrase? 18. In 1872 who was arrested for voting in the presidential election in Rochester, N.Y.? 19. What TV talk show host’s book club recommended books for sales of 55 million-plus? 20. On July 17, 1763, John Jacob Astor (famous family founder) was born in what German city that has the same name as a salad? ANSWERS 1. Between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr 2. New Orleans 3. 1984 4. Vienna (Examples: carrot recorder, pumpkin drum and agave leaf/kidney beans maraca.) 5. Germany (It was renamed due to geopolitical friction; in Germany it is still called Deutsche Dogge.) 6. NYC 7. Henry David Thoreau 8. Many places have them; they go by different names in Australia, China and the USA. 9. The Grateful Dead 10. Marquis de Lafayette (The key is displayed at Mount Vernon in Virginia.) 11. They are mocktails. 12. Snowbird (It later came to mean people travelling to a warmer area for the winter.) 13. Twitter (X) 14. A sprint 15. The study of whales 16. Oklahoma City 17. “Sock it to me” 18. Susan B. Anthony (plus 14 other women) 19. Oprah Winfrey 20. Waldorf
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