Social Security Disability Programs

Social Security offers two programs to financially assist those who are mentally or physically disabled. The two programs, social security disability insurance and supplemental security income, are paid from separate revenues and have different requirements for qualification. Social security disability programs can be of significant help to someone who can’t work due to a health condition or age.

Social Security Disability Insurance

Social security disability insurance, known as SSD, comes from the disabled individual’s social security taxes paid by himself and his employer. To qualify for SSD you must have worked long enough to earn 40 credits, 20 of which had to have been earned in the previous ten years. Younger workers can qualify with fewer credits. You must also have a medical condition that prevents you from working in any type of job for at least a year. If you qualify for SSD, your spouse and children under age 18 may qualify for partial benefits as well. Your family can receive up to 180 percent of your disability benefit combined.

Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental security income, or SSI, is funded through federal tax revenue and not by through payments made directly to Social Security. SSI has been created as a program to help those who are disabled or elderly and in financial need. Requirements for SSI eligibility are being either over age 65, blind or disabled, as well as a U.S. citizen, national or qualified alien and having limited income or assets. Any income a qualified person has reduces their monthly supplemental security income. A disabled person need not ever have worked to qualify for SSI.