I have been awarded with SSDI in april 2016 . The SSA established a $ 301.00 monthly benefits by computing my earnings
and divide them by past 20 years . The problem here is that , I have arrived in US ( first time ever )and start to earn a income IN THE YEAR OF 2005 ( SEPTEMBER ) . THEN , THE SSA SUPPOSED TO COUNT AND DIVIDE MY TOTAL EARNINGS BY 10 YEARS , INSTEAD . THAT WOULD DOUBLE MY MONTHLY AMOUNT . WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE MADE A MISTAKE WHEN ESTABLISHED MY SSDI PENSION ?
Thank you , in advance .
A.

Hi A,

I can't say for sure without more information, but it's likely that no mistake was made in the calculation of your benefit amount.

Social Security disability benefits are based on an average of a variable number of years, depending on the disabled person's age at the time they became disabled. The younger that a person is at the time they became disabled, the fewer the number of years used. For example, the disability benefit rate for a person who becomes disabled at age 30 would be based on an average of their best 7 years inflation adjusted earnings, whereas the benefit rate for a person who becomes disabled at age 47 would be based an average of their best 20 years of inflation adjusted earnings. If the disabled person has fewer than that number of years of Social Security earnings, zero earnings years are averaged in.

So, assuming that you became disabled at around age 47, Social Security is likely correct in using an average of 20 years in calculating your benefit rate. Under Social Security regulations, the year you arrived in the United States is irrelevant when determining the number of years used in the computation of your benefit rate.

If you still believe that the decision in your case is incorrect, you can file a request for a formal appeal of the determination. For more information on the appeals process, refer to: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10041.pdf.

Best, Jerry