A guide to applying for disability benefits

Q: How does someone qualify to get disability income from Social Security?

A: To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have worked long enough in jobs covered by Social Security, and recently enough, and you must have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability.

According to the Social Security Administration's (SSA) website, the number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years, ending with the year you become disabled. Work credits are based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income and the amount needed to earn work credit changes year to year. Younger workers might qualify for disability with fewer credits.

In terms of medical disability, the following is considered as necessary for eligibility: 1) you cannot do work that you did before because of your medical condition; 2) you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition; and 3) your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death. Social Security only pays benefits for total disability, not partial or short-term disability. The disability must be so severe the worker cannot work, considering age, education and experience.

Applying for Social Security Disability is a multi-step process. If you think you might qualify, the first step is to contact your local Social Security office, or apply by phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Friday, or go online to apply at ssa.gov/ benefits/disability.

Q: My grandmother had Medicaid coverage along with her Medicare for the last two years, but all of a sudden, it went away. Why has this happened?

A: Most typically, an individual's income or assets could change making them ineligible or they might not have submitted adequate documentation requested for Medicaid renewal. In Michigan, the start of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ended any Medicaid renewals, so enrollment in Medicaid grew during the pandemic. With the recent end of the PHE, Michigan is required to begin reviewing all Medicaid beneficiaries' eligibility over a 12-month period. That process began, for the first time in three years, with those having to complete their re-enrollment forms in June and extends through May 2024.

According to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and an Aug. 29 article by Bridge Michigan, more than 80,500 Michigan residents lost Medicaid coverage in the first full monthly accounting of Medicaid re-enrollment efforts in the state – with 65,400 losing coverage because they didn't receive or fill out and return forms to maintain eligibility, and the other 15,000 losing coverage due to no longer meeting income or asset eligibility criteria.

For 2023, Medicaid's gross monthly income limit is $1,235 for individuals and $1,663.50 for married couples. Assets are capped at $2,000 for single individuals and at $3,000 for married individuals, excluding one home and vehicle. MDHHS offers these tips and services to help Medicaid beneficiaries keep their coverage if eligible:

Watch for renewal packets coming in the mail and be sure to fill out and return your eligibility packet by its due date, even if you think you might have lost eligibility.

Be sure to update your address, phone number and email addresses to ensure you get all pertinent mailings. For those with an account/login, this can be done at www.michigan.gov/MIBridges. If you do not have a MIBridges MDHHS login in, you will need an email to create one, or, if this isn't possible, call your local MDHHS to make updates.

For more information about Medicaid eligibility renewals, visit michigan.gov/2023BenefitChanges. For more information about coverage options for those losing Medicaid coverage, visit Michigan.gov/StayCovered or call the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services at 877-999-6442, 8 a.m.-5 p.m Monday through Friday.

Reminder: Medicare Open Enrollment runs from Oct. 15-Dec. 7. In most cases this is the only time you can pick a new Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Keep updated on our website at AreaAgencyonAging.org/medicare-medicaid or call our Info Line for Aging and Disability at 800-654-2810 for information about Open Enrollment appointments and walk-in appointments.

Sara Duris is community information liaison of Region IV Area Agency on Aging in Southwest Michigan. Questions on age or independence services? Call the Info-Line for Aging & Disability at 800-654-2810 or visit areaagencyonaging.org. The Generations column appears each weekend in The Herald-Palladium.