SSD Terms to Know

Administrative Law Judge:  The Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ, is a judge appointed by the federal government to make rulings on statutory law cases, including Social Security Disability claims.

Appeals Council:  This is a part of the Social Security Disability process which reviews an Administrative Law Judge’s decisions to deny a disability claim, and then decides whether the Judge made an error.  It is a part of the Appeals process.

Back Pay:  This is an amount given to those who are awarded Social Security benefits for past due benefits that result from the extensive time period of approval.  The amount paid varies, depending on when the disability claim was made and when it was determined that the disability began.

B.E.S.T.  :  B.E.S.T. stands for Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool.  B.E.S.T. is a tool that is used to determine what possible benefits, if any, someone is eligible for through social security programs based on a series questions and answers.  The B.E.S.T. can be found at the SSA website www.ssa.gov

Cessation:  Cessation is the discontinuation of Social Security Disability benefits when the previously eligible worker no longer meets the medical and non-medical requirements.

Disability:  The Social Security Administration defines a disability as “the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”. 

FICA:  FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax.  FICA is the payroll tax paid by employees and employers that funds Medicare and Social Security programs, including SSDI.

OASDI:  OASDI refers to the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program.  This is another name for the Social Security program.

Remand:  Remand is when the appeals council reviews a disability claim that was denied by an Administrative Law Judge and finds fault with the judge’s decision, allowing the claim to have a second hearing.

Social Security Administration:  The Social Security Administration, or SSA is the government entity that oversees the Social Security programs.  It was originally called the Social Security Board in 1935 and was re-named the Social Security Administration in 1946.

Social Security Disability Insurance:  Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI as it’s also known, is a federally funded social insurance program that provides monetary assistance to workers unable to work because of a disability.

Substantial Gainful Activity:  This is the dollar amount that a worker receiving SSDI benefits is allowed to make each month and still keep their eligibility to receive benefits.  The current amount is $940 a month.