You Are Leaving Santee.org. You are now leaving Santee Electric Cooperative's web site and are going to a web site that is not operated by us. We are not responsible for the content or availability of linked sites. Please be advised that we do not represent either the third party or you, the member, if you enter into a transaction. Further, the privacy and security policies of the linked site may differ from those practiced by Santee Electric Cooperative.
The amount of Social Security benefits you receive, both when disabled and when retired, is generally based on your average lifetime earnings. However, when you become blind, you can request a disability âfreeze.â This means that your benefits calculation can be frozen where it was prior to your blindness.
You can apply for Social Security disability benefits when you become disabled, even on the day you become disabled. What is important, and where the 12 months comes from, is that your disability must be expected to last at least 12 months (or result in death).