SSD Benefits Involving Second Disabilities

Occasionally, we receive questions from clients about numerous disabilities they have other than the main disability approved by the Social Security Administration(SSA). Often, our clients have more than one ailment which is serious and, more often than not, their health deteriorates over time leading to a second serious disability which by itself, would qualify for SSD benefits.

The question then becomes: What if a person receiving SSD benefits acquires another serious disability? Can their benefits increase? The answer is no. According to the SSA guidelines, the SSD payment will remain the same regardless of how many disabilities a person sustains. SSD benefits are based on the amount of lifetime earnings before the disability began. The payment is not based on degree, type, or severity of your disability or how many disabling conditions you have. For more information, go to: www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/