Can I get Social Security Disability While Going to College?
It really depends. Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits are given to people with disabilities. Social Security Disability benefits are offered to individuals of all ages, including college students. But in order to qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have worked long enough paying into Social Security to earn a certain number of quarters. If you've never worked in your life or have a very scarce work history, you may not have the work quarters to even apply for SSDI benefits.
Now, the main question is whether going to college impacts your social security disability claim? It could. In some cases, the fact that you are attending college may hurt your case. This is because when you file for SSDI, you are claiming you have the total inability to maintain a full time job. So SSA considers your ability or capacity to engage in certain activities or work. So if you attend a college campus, go to college classes, do your homework or completes lengthy assignments, you may be considered capable of maintaining a full time job. Even going to college part time could pose challenges with SSA as well.
However, just because you attend college doesn't always lead to a denied social security disability claim. If your medical records show ongoing medical care, severe loss of functionality and other factors, you could very well receive SSDI while attending college.
In addition to physical factors, the Social Security Administration also considers your mental impairments when evaluating your claim.