WHAT KIND OF DISABILITY BENEFITS DOES SOCIAL SECURITY PAY?
The Social Security Administration is responsible for two major programs that provide benefits based on disability. For most people, the medical requirements for disability payments are the same under both programs and a person's disability is determined by the same process. While eligibility for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits is based on prior work under Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability payments are made on the basis of financial need. And there are other differences in the eligibility rules for the two programs.
The Social Security Disability Insurance program pays benefits to you if you are a disabled or blind worker insured under the Act, the child of an insured worker, or the widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse of an insured worker. To be insured as a worker, you must have earned a minimum number of credits from work covered under Social Security. (The required number of credits varies depending on your age at the time you became disabled. Generally you need 20 credits earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you became disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.) Family members who qualify for benefits on your work record do not need work credits.
The Supplemental Security Income program provides monthly payments to you based on disability or blindness if you have limited income and resources. Under this program we also pay children under age 18 who are disabled or blind and have limited income and resources. SSI payments are funded through general tax revenues. You can be eligible for SSI even if you have never worked or paid taxes under FICA. How much you get depends on where you live. Generally, to be eligible for SSI payments you must be a U.S. citizen or meet certain requirements for non-citizens.
Attorney Mark Anthony Gager serves clients throughout the Brevard County, Florida area including the communities of Melbourne, West Melbourne, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach, Cocoa Beach, Cocoa, Rockledge, Cape Canaveral, Titusville, Sebastian, and Barefoot Bay, Florida.
