Types of Disability Benefits

What do you qualify for?

Social Security Disability has several different types of benefits:

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• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): This pays benefits to you and certain family members if you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Generally, SSDI benefits are calculated based upon your prior earnings and in addition to providing income, can also grant access to health benefits through Medicare, after a waiting period.

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• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. This is more similar to welfare benefits and individuals are not required to have a work history. SSI recipients receive health benefits through Medicaid.

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• Disabled widows' benefits: If you are a widow or widower between the ages of 50 and 60 and you are disabled, you may qualify based on your deceased spouse's account.

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• Disabled adult child benefits: If their parents are deceased, children who became disabled before the age of 22 may be able to receive benefits through this special program. Even much older individuals may qualify for these benefits if they can establish that their disability started before the age of 22.

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It is important to note that in some cases it may be appropriate to apply for more than one of the above-mentioned types of benefits. Your attorney can inform you of what you may qualify for.