Social Security Disability Programs

There are two different Social Security Disability programs. They are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These two disability programs are different, but both are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can only receive disability benefits if you have a disability or medical situation which allows you to qualify.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to you and certain members of your family if you have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays you benefits based on your financial needs.

When you apply for either the SSDI or ssi prgrams, the social security administration will collect your medical information from you to determine whether you are eligible for disability benefits.

Social Security only pays for total disability. No social security benefits are paid for either partial disability or short-term disability. According to the Social Security Administration, disability is based on your inability to work. Under SSA rules, you are considered disabled if 1) you cannot do work that you did before, 2) you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition, 3) you disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or will result in death.

Your Social Security disability benefits cannot begin until you have been disabled for at least five months. Your disability payments will usually start with your sixth month of disability.

Your disability payments will continue as long as cannot work and your medical condition has not improved. You should not expect that your benefits will continue indefinitely because many people with serious disabilities recover from illnesses and serious accidents.

You should expect that the SSA will review your case regularly to make sure of your disability. You are responsible for letting Social Security know if your medical condition improves or if their is any change in your ability to work.

If you disagree with any decision that SSA makes regarding your eligibility or payments, you have the right to appeal the decision.