The Lottery and SSDI Benefits

How Do the Lottery and SSDI Benefits Impact Each Other?

A lot of people applying for SSDI want to know if playing or winning the lottery will affect your SSDI status. Here’s what you need to know from our Memphis Social Security Disability lawyers about the lottery and SSDI benefits.

Can You Play the Lottery and Still Get SSDI Benefits?

This is a commonly asked question. People receiving SSDI want to know the answer before they take a chance on the lottery. Others enjoy playing the lottery and worry it might impact their SSDI application. 

The good news is you can play the lottery and still receive benefits. Whether you’re in the process of applying or already receive SSDI, the lottery won’t impact your status.

SSDI works as an insurance program. If you’ve paid into the system through the taxes taken out of your paycheck, the benefits you receive are yours to spend as you like.

That said, I do have to offer a bit of personal advice. I am not only an SSDI lawyer—I’m also a bankruptcy attorney. And in that part of my work, I’ve seen plenty of people in my office who’ve lost their money to the lottery. For anyone on a fixed-income like SSDI recipients, I urge you to be extremely careful with the lottery or any other form of gambling. My general advice is to avoid it completely.

What Happens to Your SSDI Benefits If You Win the Lottery?

In general, lottery winnings don’t impact SSDI because they aren’t counted as work income. SSDI is meant to supplement your income if you become disabled. So the SSA looks at your work income, like part-time employment. Lottery winnings function more like a gift, and so they don’t keep you from receiving your benefits. 

That said, you still need to report them, both in your taxes and directly to the SSA. The SSA doesn’t like to be caught off guard and might flag you if they notice large differences in your financial situation. 

Winning the Lottery vs. Winning Your Appeal

In reality, it’s unlikely any of us will win the lottery. The statistics speak for themselves: you have approximately a 1-in-13,983,816 chance. To put it more plainly, if you bought a ticket every week, you could possibly win once every 269,000 years. And it’s far worse odds for the Mega Millions lottery. 

So let’s focus on the present for a minute instead. If you’re disabled and need SSDI, that’s income right in front of you. Not only do you have better odds—you’ve actually earned it. SSDI is a program you’ve paid for already through your taxes.

Sadly, a lot of people get denied on their first try. They have 60 days to appeal, but some people just let that money disappear instead.

Don’t make that mistake. If you’re denied SSDI, we can help you strengthen your application and get a successful appeal. And what’s more, we don’t get paid a penny unless you do—and even then it’s limited to a fraction of your past-due benefits. Every dollar moving forward is yours to keep.

That’s no gamble.

So if you’ve been denied SSDI, don’t wait to get started. Contact me today at 901-327-2100 or fill out the form below.

5 Common Causes Of A Social Security Lawsuit

Filing for Social Security benefits can be a long and stressful process, especially when an application doesn’t receive a fair review. Many people expect a straightforward experience but encounter errors, denials, or delays that leave them struggling to receive the support they deserve. When those problems arise, legal action may be the only way to correct mistakes and recover lost benefits. Below, our award-winning Memphis, TN social security lawyer outlines some of the most common causes of a lawsuit and how these issues often develop.

Incorrect Benefit Denials

One of the most common reasons people pursue a lawsuit related to Social Security is an improper denial of benefits. Errors often happen during the review of disability applications, where valid medical records or work history details are overlooked. When that occurs, applicants have the right to appeal or take legal action to recover benefits they are rightfully owed. Our Memphis social security lawyer has seen many cases where simple administrative oversights lead to unnecessary hardship for individuals who qualify for support.

Incomplete Or Misinterpreted Medical Evidence

Medical documentation plays a major role in determining eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits. A lawsuit may arise when medical reports are ignored, misread, or deemed insufficient despite strong supporting evidence. Sometimes evaluators fail to fully consider the long-term impact of a condition, leaving applicants with unfair rejections. In these cases, legal intervention may help correct those decisions.

Errors In Work History Or Earnings Records

Social Security decisions depend heavily on an accurate record of a person’s earnings and employment history. Mistakes in wage reporting, job titles, or missing employment data can lead to incorrect benefit amounts or complete denials. When administrative errors go unresolved, individuals may turn to the courts to protect their rights and correct false information that affects their financial future.

Misclassification Of Disability Claims

Another frequent issue arises when the Social Security Administration (SSA) misclassifies a disability claim. Some applicants are placed in the wrong category or denied because their condition doesn’t fit neatly into an existing classification. This can happen with conditions that fluctuate or involve both physical and mental symptoms. According to our Memphis social security lawyer, legal action may be necessary to challenge an improper classification and secure fair consideration.

Delays And Administrative Misconduct

While delays are not unusual, excessive or unexplained delays in processing claims can lead to lawsuits. Some cases involve administrative misconduct, such as failing to schedule hearings, misplacing documents, or repeatedly ignoring appeals. When those patterns occur, applicants often have no choice but to seek judicial review to move their case forward and hold the SSA accountable for due process violations.

Seeking Support For Your Claim

Social Security issues can quickly become stressful when decisions seem unfair or errors go uncorrected. For over thirty-nine years, our team at Darrell Castle & Associates has taken the time to review each case closely and advocate for fair outcomes when administrative mistakes or violations occur. If you believe your benefits have been wrongly denied or delayed, we encourage you to reach out for a free consultation to discuss your situation and learn about your next steps.