Guide to Social Security Disability

Topics on This Page

• Who is Covered by SSDI?
• Definition of Disabled
• Benefits Available to the Injured

Disability Guide Topics

• Filing for Disability: Requirements
• Filing for SSDI: Medical Records
• Disability Claim Determination
• Collecting Disability Payments
• Why a Disability Claim Gets Denied
• Other Benefits and Disability for Children
• When to Talk to a Lawyer

President Roosevelt created the Social Security Act and the Social Security Administration during the Great Depression.  It was a plan to provide a guaranteed income to older workers when they reached age 65.

Eventually through various amendments, the program was expanded to provide benefits to disabled workers, workers dependents, and death benefits if a worker died prematurely.

Social Security Disability is cash benefits paid to workers who are ill or injured.  Unlike workers compensation, the illness or injured does not have to occur or be related to the workplace.  The benefits are paid to the worker based on the workers contribution paid through his or her wage deductions while employed.

Who Benefits from Social Security Disability?

There are four classes of persons who can benefit from Social Security Disability, they are:

Disabled Worker

The primary beneficiary under social security disability is the disabled worker who qualifies for benefits.

Spouse of Disabled Worker

The spouse of a disabled worker can be eligible for SSDI benefit if  he or she is over 62 years of age, or caring for a child under the age of 16 (there is no age requirement under this circumstance), or caring for a disabled child.  (there is no age requirement under this circumstance).

Disabled Child

Unmarried child (includes adopted child and in some instances stepchild and grandchild) over the age of 18:

• If they have a disability that started before the age of 22. 
• The disability must also meet the definition for disabled adult.

Child

Unmarried child (includes adopted child and in some instances stepchild and grandchild) must be under the age of 18 or under age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full-time.

Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Definition of Disabled

Social Security defines disabled as being:

• Unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity because of physical or mental impairment
• You must be unable to work but also unable to do any other work based on your age, education, and work experience
• The impairments must be established by objective medical evidence
• The impairment must be expected to result in death or expected to last at least 12 months

Programs Available

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Each worker pays into the social security system through the payroll taxes that are taken out of their pay check based on a formula.  Your employer also pays payroll taxes into the system.  Social Security is a form of insurance; it is not a government handout.  You must meet non-medical criteria and medical criteria to receive benefits under the disability portion of the social security program.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes): It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income.  It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.  The maximum amount of SSI a person can receive from the federal government is the same nationwide. The amount of SSI benefits a person is entitled to is dependent upon their income and assets.  Some states supplement the amount given by the federal government.