Social Security Disability Insurance

This program provides monthly income benefits to people who have disabilities. This benefit is available to people who have worked and paid taxes into Social Security; their family members may also be eligible to receive a benefit. The amount of income a person receives is based on factors such as date of birth, the type of benefit applied for, and the person's earnings.

Disability under Social Security is based upon a person's inability to work because of a medical condition. People are considered disabled by Social Security if they are unable to do any kind of "substantial" work because of a medical condition. The inability to work must be expected to last at least one year, or the condition must be so severe that the person is not expected to live. The impairment may be mental or physical.

For children, disability is determined on how the condition affects their ability to function and behave in ways that other children of the same age normally would.

People who are eligible for disability benefits include the following:

Widows and widowers with disabilities age 50 or older who are eligible for benefits on the record of a spouse.

People with disabilities who have low income and few assets who might be eligible for SSI benefits.

Disabled children over age 18 who might be eligible for social security benefits on the record of a parent or disabled children at any age who might be eligible for SSI benefits on their own.

If a beneficiary is unable to handle his or her own financial affairs, SSA may, after a careful investigation, appoint a relative, friend, or other interested party as a "representative payee." Representative Payees must file periodic accounting reports with SSA to show how the beneficiary's funds were spent or saved.

Disability benefits continue to be paid unless the recipient's condition improves or s/he returns to "substantial" work. SSA periodically checks claims to determine continued eligibility and may require recipients to undergo tests or examinations. There are special rules that affect people who would like to return to work but are concerned about the effect this might have on their disability benefits.

Recipients must report to SSA the following changes in circumstance which may affect their continued receipt of benefits:

changes of residence or mailing address

change in marital status

change of name

change in income or earnings

if a child is born or adopted

if a beneficiary is imprisoned

if they leave the United States

if a beneficiary dies

FAMILY BENEFITS Other family members may also be eligible for disability payments when one member of the family begins collecting a benefit. Benefits are usually paid at a reduced percentage of the beneficiary's payment; other rules and limits apply. Benefits can be paid to:

a spouse if he or she is age 62 or older (unless he or she collects a higher Social Security benefit on his or her own record)

a spouse of any age who is caring for the applicant's child if the child is age 16 or younger or has a disability

children if they are unmarried and age 18 or younger, or age 19 or younger but a full-time student in elementary or secondary school; or age 18 or older and severely disabled (the disability must have started before age 22).

People have the right to appeal a decision that affects their eligibility for Social Security benefits. There are three steps in the appeals process available with SSA. Beyond that, people may take their case to a Federal court.

Ticket to Work Program The Ticket To Work Program is a voluntary work incentive program for SSI beneficiaries, administered for the Social Security Administration by Maximus. The program provides free training, job referrals and other job related services for beneficiaries who are interested in working.