If you have a disability that prevents you from working, you may be able to receive benefits from the Social Security Administration. Generally speaking, there are two different benefit programs that disabled people can apply for:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – This is the main program, designed for people who have worked five out of the last ten years in a job that paid in Social Security taxes, and are now unable to work because of a disability.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – This program is designed for disabled or elderly people who have very low incomes and/or assets.
The amount of benefits you are entitled to will depend on how much money you made when you worked and the specific program you qualify for.
Benefits Received Through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Disabled workers who qualify for SSDI are entitled to receive compensation for income and medical care until one of the following things happens:
- Your disability ends – The second month after you recover from your disability, benefits will be terminated.
- You attain retirement age – Once you retire, you will no longer be able to receive SSDI benefits.
Your spouse and children will be factored into the amount of benefits you receive. Benefits for spouses are calculated as 50% of your own benefits as a worker. This amount is reduced if your spouse is under the normal retirement age.
Any children who are under the age of 18 (or under the age of 19 if still in high school) are also eligible for 50% of the disabled worker's benefit. Spouse and child benefits are subject to a family maximum.
Benefits Received Through Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
The SSA and your state government run the SSI program together. In general, you must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for SSI benefits:
- You must be disabled, blind, or 65+ years old.
- You must be a citizen of the United States, or else you must meet narrow requirements based on your permanent residency, refugee status, military services, or political asylum status.
- Your monthly income must be very low. Most states have established a maximum monthly income of $700 to $1400 per month.
- Your property (minus your house and car) must be worth less than $2,000 – or $3,000 for a couple.
If your SSI application is granted, your benefits will include cash payments on a monthly basis. For 2019 the monthly amount is $771. The amount of your payments is adjusted each year depending on the U.S. cost of living. Your state may supplement this amount with an additional payment called the State Supplementary Payment.
If you have further questions about Social Security Disability benefits, please contact Greg Marks, Social Security Disability Law today to schedule a free, no-obligation claim evaluation and personal consultation. We represent SSDI claimants throughout the greater Louisville, Kentucky metro area, surrounding counties, Central Kentucky and Southern Indiana.