You may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits if you have incurred a long-term disability that may last for over a year and that may prevent you from maintaining gainful work activity. Once you start receiving these monthly payments, you may want to learn how to manage them wisely. What’s more, you may want to understand how to maximize the benefits you receive from this program. Read on to discover what your monthly payments can be used for and how a seasoned New Jersey SSDI benefits lawyer at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur can help you take full advantage of this program.
What can my monthly SSDI benefits be used for?
As of 2024, the maximum amount of SSDI benefits that you may receive each month is $943. This is an increase from last year’s monthly maximum of $914. That said, you may want to take advantage of this payment increase and use this financial aid wisely. This should especially be taken seriously if this is currently your sole source of income. Without further ado, ways in which you may spend these benefits are as follows:
- You may put these benefits toward your monthly rent or mortgage payments.
- You may put these benefits toward your monthly utility bills (i.e., electricity, water, gas, etc).
- You may put these benefits toward your medical bills incurred to treat your long-term disability.
- You may put these benefits toward your home improvements or repairs that accommodate your long-term disability.
What other benefits come with the SSDI program?
Unfortunately, even if you receive the maximum monthly payment of $943, this may still not be enough to make ends meet. But you may rest assured knowing that you may also qualify for several other benefits offered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Of note, you may have to apply for some of these additional benefits separately. Examples are as follows:
- You may also reap the SSA’s tax benefits, in which you may not have to pay taxes on your SSDI benefits.
- You may also enroll in the SSA’s Medicare coverage program, after receiving SSDI benefits for two or more years.
- You may also enroll in the SSA’s return to work benefits, in which you may return or attempt to return to work while still collecting SSDI benefits.
- You may also enroll in the SSA’s family benefits, if you have a spouse; a minor child; or a household member who received a disability diagnosis before the age of 22.
You must also understand that, all while collecting SSDI benefits, you may receive additional benefits through other programs. Examples are as follows:
- You may simultaneously accept Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
- You may simultaneously accept Veterans Administration (VA) benefits.
- You may simultaneously accept workers’ compensation benefits.
Whenever you are ready, a competent New Jersey SSDI benefits lawyer is here to assist you. So please schedule a free initial consultation with The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur today.
