If you qualify for Social Security Disability and your application is approved, Social Security Disability Insurance will pay benefits to you and certain family members.

Definition of a Disability: As defined by Social Security Administration, persons eligible for Social Security Disability "cannot do work" they had done before and they "cannot adjust to other work because of a medical condition" OR their disability "is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death."

Calculating Disability Benefits: If you want to know more about Social Security Benefits and how much you and certain family members can expect to receive, you can calculate your benefits.

For an estimate of your Social Security Disability Benefits, you can use a Social Security Quick Calculator. You will need to enter your date of birth, your earnings in the current year and the date in which you intend to stop working. Below is a sample of benefit estimates:

Social Security Disability Benefit Estimates:

Example 1: Born in 1950, earned $40,000 in 2009, expected to stop working December 2009.

Expected Social Security Disability Benefits:
- $1,184.00 per month for the disabled individual
- $890.00 for the child of the disabled individual
- $1,186.00 for the spouse at normal retirement age
- $2,068.00 family maximum

Example 2: Born in 1960, earned $30,000 in 2009, expected to stop working December 2009.

Expected Social Security Disability Benefits:
- $1,049.00 per month for the disabled individual
- $787.00 for the child of the disabled individual
- $1,049.00 for the spouse at normal retirement age
- $1,696.10 family maximum

Example 3: Born in 1970, earned $30,000 in 2009, expected to stop working December 2009.

Expected Social Security Disability Benefits:
- $1,098.00 per month for the disabled individual
- $833.00 for the child of the disabled individual
- $1,111.00 for the spouse at normal retirement age
- $1,863.40 family maximum

Example 4: Born in 1980, earned $40,000 in 2009, expected to stop working December 2009.

Expected Social Security Disability Benefits:
- $1,394.00 per month for the disabled individual
- $1,082.00 for the child of the disabled individual
- $1,443.00 for the spouse at normal retirement age
- $2,668.30 family maximum

Changes to Social Security Disability Benefits:

If you calculate your expected Social Security Disability Benefits online, remember that many factors can affect how much you receive from the Social Security Disability Administration. Factors such as earnings, pensions and retirement can affect your benefit amount.

Calculating other Benefits:

If you are eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits, you may be eligible for other benefits such as SSI (Supplemental Security Income), Medicaid and food stamps. A brief explanation of these benefits is below:

- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI is program that provides payments to blind or disabled individuals age 65 and older. Similar to SSD, the children of individuals who receive SSI can also receive benefits. To apply for SSI, you can complete an application at the Social Security Administration's website of by calling 1-800-772-1213.

- Medicare: Medicare provides health insurance coverage to people. You may be eligible for Medicare if you fit one of the criteria:
- You are 65 or older and you or your spouse has paid Medicare taxes for 10 years
- You are under 65 and disabled
- You are continuing dialysis for end state renal disease
- You need a kidney transplant
- You have ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease

Food Stamps: Food Stamps are provided by the federal Food Stamp Program or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). You may be eligible to receive food stamps for you or your family if your household does not have more than $2,000 in resources (things you own). In general, resources include cash and bank accounts, not your home, your land, or your car or truck.

Applying for Social Security Disability:

If you have not applied for Social Security Disability yet, start the application process as soon as possible. Consider working with a Social Security Disability lawyer. He or she will be able to explain the process to you and help ensure that you receive the Social Security Disability Benefits.

One step of the process includes an Adult Disability Interview. Start collecting information that you will need right now, such as your medical information and records, a certified copy of your birth certificate, military discharge papers (if applicable), your W-2 form if you worked last year and your workers' compensation information, and the Social Security Number(s) for your spouse and children.

Applying for Social Security Disability benefits can be a lengthy process, but it is a worthwhile one that can greatly benefit you and your family.