Social Security Disability

There are two types of Social Security Disability through the Social Security Administration. The first is Disability Insurance Benefit (DIB or SSD) most often referred to as Social Security Disability. The second is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). They both have the same medical requirements, but they have different financial requirements.

To be eligible for SSD payments you must be disabled and meet certain work credit requirements. Meaning you must have worked a certain amount of hours (credits) in previous years. Generally, people who have worked and pay into the system, Social Security tax taken out of your paycheck, earn credits.

To be eligible for SSI you must be disabled and meet certain income and asset requirements. Generally, SSI is for poor people, widows and children. Your assets (everything you own) must be below a certain amount and your household income, depending on the number of people in your household, has to be below a certain amount. You don't have to have any credits. Children with a disability are also eligible for SSI.

To be found disabled the Social Security Administration must find that based on your age, education, past work experience and severe impairment or combination of impairments that you are not capable of any substantial gainful activity for 12 months or longer.

For questions about Social Security Disability, SSD, SSI or any other area of the law feel free to visit our website or call our office, Dugan & Associates at 1-800-772-5422.