What is Social Security Disability?

The Social Security Act provides for two types of Social Security disability benefits:

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INCOME BENEFITS ("SSDIB")

Title 2 Social Security Disability Income Benefits ("SSDIB") is for disabled individuals who have paid into Social Security while they worked. If you have worked AND paid Social Security in five of the previous ten years before you became disabled, you are likely eligible for Title 2 SSDIB and Medicare. If you are a disabled widow or widower, you may also be eligible for Title 2 SSDIB and Medicare. Disabled children are not eligible to receive Title 2 SSDIB. The amount of SSDIB you receive monthly is based upon how much you paid into Social Security while you worked and whether or not you have a dependent spouse and/or dependent children.

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME ("SSI")

Title 16 Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") is for disabled individuals who have limited income and assets and have an incomplete work history and as a result did not pay into Social Security for five of the previous ten years beforedisability. SSI is also available for disabled children, although SSI is determined differently for children. Generally, SSI does not take into account an individual’s earnings record for eligibility purposes. To be eligible for SSI, an adult or child claimant and members of the claimant’s household must earn little income and possess limited assets. Even after a claimant begins receiving SSI, the Social Security Administration will monitor the claimant’s household income and assets to ensure he or she remains financially qualified for SSI. The amount of SSI you receive monthly is based upon a maximum amount set by Federal and State law and whether or not you or others in your household earn additional income or you are receiving other type of benefits determined to be of value. The monthly maximum in most states for 2013 is about $733.00 for an eligible individual.