An estimated 42 million people in the U.S. have a disability. Disability is unpredictable and can happen to anyone-regardless of age. The prospect of losing one's earning capacity due to disability raises an important question: How will a disabled person and his or her dependents pay for living expenses and any additional medical, rehabilitative, and related expenses as well? For many clients, Social Security Disability Insurance is the answer. However, the Social Security Disability Insurance program, including criteria for eligibility, the application process, and the benefits available, can be confusing. Producers who gain an understanding of the program are better equipped to answer their clients' questions regarding both the benefits and limitations of relying on Social Security Disability Insurance.

This course provides a detailed overview of the Social Security Disability Insurance program and explains who may qualify for benefits, how benefits are determined, how the program responds to specific types of disability, and program benefits that may help individuals return to the workforce.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• explain how the five-step sequential evaluation process is used to determine eligibility for disability benefits
• understand how the application date, disability onset date, and waiting period affect the start of benefits
• explain how the receipt of other disability income may affect a person's Social Security disability benefit
• recognize when Social Security disability beneficiaries become eligible for Medicare
• understand when the spouse and dependent children of a disabled worker are eligible to receive benefits based on the worker's earnings record
• list the different categories of individuals who can receive survivor benefits after a disabled worker dies, including surviving spouses, ex-spouses, and dependent children
• list the events that will cause Social Security disability benefits to terminate
• understand when continuing disability reviews will be conducted