Collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits when you are unable to work can indeed be challenging. Each year, approximately two million people apply for SSDI, but more than two-thirds of them are denied. While reasons for denial vary, the leading reason is that applicants fail to prove that they are disabled and unable to work. Here are some steps you can take that can help improve your odds of approval.

Are You Disabled?

The first thing you need to determine is if your health condition qualifies you for Social Security disability benefits. Eligible health conditions typically include physical or mental impairments that are severe enough to prevent individuals from working in their current or past line of work for at least a year.

There are no benefits available for those who have a short-term or partial disability. To qualify for benefits, your disability must prevent you from working at the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level. If you are still working despite your disability, and you are earning more than $1,620 ($2,700 if you are blind) a month on average in 2025, your application will be denied. However, if you are not working or are working but earning below those limits, your application may be considered.

Your skills, education and work experience are also factors. If your work history suggests that your disability does not prevent you from performing a less physically demanding job, your application may be denied. To help you determine if you are eligible, use the SSA Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool at SSAbest.benefits.gov.

How to Apply

If you believe you have a claim, your next step is to collect your personal, financial and medical information to prepare for the application process. You can apply online at SSA.gov/disability or call 800-772-1213 to make an appointment and apply at your local Social Security office.

If you schedule an appointment, a “Disability Starter Kit” will help you get ready for your interview and will be mailed to you. If you apply online, the kit is available at SSA.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits.htm.

It currently takes six to eight months from the initial application to receive either an award or denial of benefits. The only exception is if you have a medical condition that qualifies you for a “compassionate allowance” (see SSA.gov/compassionateallowances), which fast tracks cases.

If Social Security denies your initial application, you can appeal the decision. However, with a huge backlog of people waiting, it can take around 10 months or longer to appeal the decision and another seven to 12 months to get a hearing if reconsideration is denied.

Get Help

You can hire a representative to help you with your Social Security disability claim. By law, representatives can charge the lesser of 25% of past-due benefits up to $9,200 if they win your case.

It is advisable to hire a representative at the start of the application process if your disability is difficult to prove, such as chronic pain. If your disability is obvious, you may want to consider initially working without a representative to avoid paying the fee. You are allowed to hire a representative later if your initial application and first appeal are denied.

To find a representative, check with the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR.org) or National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR.org). If you are low-income, contact the Legal Services Corporation (LSC.gov/find-legal-aid) for free assistance.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

July is a great month to consider plans for charitable gifts in 2025. These gifts could include an IRA charitable rollover, a gift of cash or a gift of appreciated stock or land.

1. IRA Charitable Rollover — The IRS refers to the IRA charitable rollover as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). An individual over age 70½ is permitted to make a transfer directly from his or her IRA custodian to a qualified charity. The transfer is not included in taxable income. If the IRA owner is over age 73, the distribution may fulfill part or all of the IRA owner’s required minimum distribution (RMD).Because many individuals have invested their IRAs in stocks, bonds or other securities, it may be necessary to exchange the IRA stock or bond accounts for a money market fund prior to the distribution. Most IRA custodians require a QCD to be paid from a money market account or similar fund. With equities markets at high levels, some individuals may choose to transfer funds from equities to a money market fund early in the year to prepare for their IRA charitable rollover.There are some limits for the IRA charitable rollover. The IRA owner must be at least age 70½ and the maximum transfer in 2025 is $108,000. The transfer must be to a qualified exempt charity and may be for a designated purpose or field of interest fund. However, it may not be to a donor advised fund (DAF) or supporting organization (SO). In addition, transfers may not be for a charity dinner or other event that involves a partial benefit to the donor. The entire QCD must be for a qualified charitable purpose.
    
2. Gifts of Cash — In 2025, individuals who itemize deductions may deduct charitable gifts of cash up to 60% of their contribution base, which is usually their adjusted gross income (AGI). While the 60% limit is substantial, some generous individuals give more than this and may carry forward and deduct the excess gift amounts over the next five years.
    
3. Gifts of Stock or Land — With substantial increases in value for both stocks and real property, many donors will find that a 2025 gift of appreciated property is attractive. A gift of appreciated stock or land provides two benefits for the donor. First, the donor may receive a charitable contribution deduction for the fair market value of the stock or land. Second, the charity is tax-exempt and therefore the donor is able to bypass tax on the capital gain.

If the donor purchased stock seven years ago for $10 per share and it is now worth $50 per share, the donor would pay capital gains tax on $40 if he or she sold the stock. However, by giving the stock to charity, the donor may receive a deduction for the $50 in value and bypass the tax on the $40 of potential gain. Because the donor is receiving both the deduction and capital gain bypass benefits, this type of gift is permitted to 30% of adjusted gross income (AGI). Once again, if the value is in excess of this limit, it may be carried forward for an additional five years.

For example, Mary Smith has adjusted gross income of $100,000 this year and makes a gift of appreciated stock with a fair market value of $40,000. She is able to deduct $30,000 and carry forward $10,000 and deduct that amount over the following five years. 

Editor’s Note: Summer is a good time to make plans and consider the options for gifts in 2025.

Can you recommend golf gadgets that can help older golfers? I like to walk the course, but I have back problems that make stooping over to tee-up or retrieve the ball difficult. I also have some arthritis in my hands which makes gripping the club painful.

There is a variety of adaptive golf equipment that can help older golfers who struggle with arthritis, injuries or mobility problems. Here is a summary of the types of golf equipment that you can purchase to help with different needs.

Upright Golf Products

For golfers with back, hip or knee problems, there are several products on the market that will allow you to tee up the ball (and retrieve the tee) from an upright position without having to bend or stoop over. These stoop-proof devices typically feature long handles and ergonomic designs that allow for use from a standing position. You can find them online or at your local golf shop or golf course pro shop. 

In addition to tee-up tools, many companies also offer accessory products to help with other parts of the game. These include tools for retrieving the ball from the ground or cup, repairing divots, marking the ball on the green or picking up a club, sand rake or flag stick off the ground, all without bending over.

Gripping Solutions

Gripping a golf club can be challenging for golfers with arthritis or those who have hand or elbow injuries. To help alleviate this problem, there are specially designed golf gloves and grips that can provide assistance. There are also gloves that include a plastic claw that fits over your thumb and index finger to lock the club to your hand.

Another gripping solution is to get oversized grips installed on your clubs. These can make gripping the club easier and more comfortable, and they are good at absorbing shock. Oversized grips are usually either one-sixteenth-inch or one-eighth-inch larger in diameter than a standard grip and cost around $10 per grip, not including the cost of installation. You can find these grips and have them installed at your local golf store or pro shop.

Low Vision Golf Balls

If diminished vision from cataracts or eye problems makes locating the ball difficult, consider using reflective or colored golf balls. Reflective or colored golf balls can help make the balls appear larger and brighter.

Age-Friendly Golf Carts

For golfers who like to walk the course, there are ergonomically designed golf club carts that are lightweight and easy to maneuver. There are a variety of three and four-wheeled push/pull carts that are highly rated for function and foldability. There are also remote-controlled electric caddies that will transport your clubs around the course as you walk.

There is a specialized electric golf cart available that allows golfers with the ability to play from a seated or standing-but-supported position. This cart is lightweight and precisely balanced so it can be driven on tee boxes and greens without causing any damage. Federal ADA laws require that all public golf courses allow them.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

While there had been discussion of eliminating tax on Social Security, a compromise in Congress was to provide individuals over age 65 with a $6,000 Senior Deduction added to the standard deduction. This added deduction is available for 2025 through 2028. The $6,000 Senior Deduction phases out at a rate of 6% of the excess amount for single taxpayers with incomes over $75,000 and married couples filing jointly with incomes over $150,000. The deduction is fully phased out for single taxpayers with incomes over $175,000 and married couples filing jointly with incomes over $250,000.

The effect of this $6,000 deduction will reduce taxes for many taxpayers. Here are some scenarios to consider:

Susan/Single. Susan is age 78, has Social Security of $28,000 and other income for a total of $34,000. A single senior has a 2025 standard deduction of $15,750, an existing $2,000 deduction for those 65 and over, plus $6,000, for a total of $23,750. Because her combined income is over $25,000, part of her Social Security is tax-free and part is taxable. With her standard deduction, tax-free portion of Social Security and the added $6,000 Senior Deduction, Susan will pay zero federal income tax.

Helen/Single. Helen, age 82, has Social Security of $36,000, a large IRA payout and other income for a total of $100,000. A senior filing as a single taxpayer has a 2025 standard deduction of $15,750, as well as the existing $2,000 additional deduction and the new Senior Deduction. However, Helen’s Senior Deduction is reduced because she has over $75,000 in income. Her Senior Deduction is reduced to $4,500, for a total of $22,250. Because her income is over $34,000, a larger portion of her Social Security is taxable. While her $4,500 Senior Deduction saves some tax, Helen is likely to pay about $6,000 in income tax.

Jim and Kate/Married. Jim is age 80 and Kate is age 78. They receive Social Security of $44,000 and other income for a total of $75,000. A married couple filing a joint tax return can claim a 2025 standard deduction of $31,500, the existing senior deduction of $3,200, plus the new Senior Deduction of $12,000, for a total of $46,700. Because their income is over $32,000, part of the Social Security is tax-free and part is taxable. With their standard deduction, tax-free portion of Social Security and the added $12,000 Senior Deduction, Jim and Kate will pay zero federal income tax.

Joe and Alice/Married. Joe is age 84 and Alice is age 79. They receive Social Security of $64,000, a pension, two large IRA payouts and investment income for a total of $200,000. A married couple filing a joint tax return benefits from a 2025 standard deduction of $31,500 plus a Senior Deduction. Because their income is over $150,000, the $12,000 Senior Deduction is reduced to $9,000. The standard deduction, existing $3,200 deduction, plus the Senior Deduction equals $43,700. Because their income is over $32,000, part of the Social Security is tax-free and part is taxable. With their standard deduction, tax-free portion of Social Security and the added $6,000 Senior Deduction, Joe and Alice are likely to pay about $22,000 in income tax.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Individuals should consult with a qualified tax professional or advisor for advice specific to their personal financial situation.