What are the major categories of Social Security disability benefits
Social Security Disability benefits are a lifeline for millions of individuals across the United States who have become disabled due to a variety of reasons including illness or injury. However, not everyone is eligible for Social Security Disability benefits and even if you are, there are different types of benefits available. In this article, we will outline the major categories of Social Security Disability benefits.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a category of Social Security benefits that is available to individuals who have become disabled before reaching their full retirement age and have accumulated enough work credits over their lifetime. To be eligible for SSDI, you must have worked and paid into the Social Security system for a certain number of years, as determined by your age at the time of disability.
The amount of SSDI benefits you are entitled to depends on your work history and contributions to the Social Security system. This category of Social Security Disability benefits is funded by the Social Security taxes paid by workers, employers, and the self-employed.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is another category of Social Security benefits that is available to disabled individuals who have little or no income and do not meet the work history requirements for SSDI. SSI is also available to individuals who are 65 years of age or older.
Unlike SSDI, which is funded by Social Security taxes, SSI is funded by general tax revenues. The amount of SSI benefits you are entitled to depends on your income and assets. SSI benefits can help pay for basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing.
Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits
Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits is a category of Social Security Disability benefits that is available to widows or widowers who have become disabled within a certain timeframe after the death of their spouse. To be eligible for Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits, the widow or widower must be at least 50 years old and must have become disabled within seven years of the spouse’s death.
The amount of Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits you are entitled to depends on your spouse’s work history and contributions to the Social Security system.
Disabled Adult Child Benefits
Disabled Adult Child Benefits is a category of Social Security Disability benefits that is available to adult children who have become disabled before the age of 22 and whose parents are either retired, disabled, or deceased and have paid into the Social Security system. To be eligible for Disabled Adult Child Benefits, the adult child must meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability.
The amount of Disabled Adult Child Benefits you are entitled to depends on your parent’s work history and contributions to the Social Security system.
Now that we’ve covered the major categories of Social Security Disability benefits, let’s take a closer look at the eligibility requirements for each category.
To be eligible for SSDI, you must have worked and paid into the Social Security system for at least five of the last ten years and must also meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability. The definition of disability is as follows:
- You are unable to do the work you did before
- The Social Security Administration determines that you cannot adjust to other work due to your medical condition(s)
- Your disability is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death
To be eligible for SSI, you must have limited income and resources and must also meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability. The definition of disability for SSI is the same as the definition of disability for SSDI.
To be eligible for Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits, you must be at least 50 years old, have become disabled within seven years of your spouse’s death, and not have remarried. If you remarry, you will no longer be eligible for Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits.
To be eligible for Disabled Adult Child Benefits, you must have become disabled before the age of 22 and meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability. You must also be unmarried and not have engaged in substantial gainful activity since becoming disabled.
In conclusion, Social Security Disability benefits are an important safety net for individuals who have become disabled and are unable to work. However, not everyone is eligible for these benefits and even if you are, there are different types of benefits available. It is important to understand the eligibility requirements for each category of Social Security Disability benefits to determine which benefits you may be eligible for.