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Social Security Disability

Disability Information about the Social Security Process

Are you disabled? Is your condition expected to last for at least 12 continuous months? Does your condition keep you from working or performing “substantial gainful activity”? If you answered yes to the questions above, you may qualify for one of the two federal disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration.

Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI), which was an expansion of earlier programs created by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), provides benefits to disabled workers who are considered disabled and who have paid enough employment taxes to the Social Security Trust Fund to be considered “insured” by the Federal Government. Widows, widowers and dependent children of insured workers may also be eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance.

What if you have not worked and are not considered “insured”? The Federal Government also provides monthly cash disability payments through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to the aged, blind and disabled who have very limited income and resources. SSI is not funded through employment taxes but from general tax revenues. SSI disability payments are based on the federal benefit rate which is updated periodically. In some states the federal benefit rate may be supplemented by a state payment. If you need more disability information about SSDI or Supplemental Security Income, you can contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or contact a Social Security Disability lawyer for more information.