SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
BENEFIT TYPES

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI)

As you pay into Social Security you envision it as accumulating in a savings account to be accessed during retirement. When you become disabled and file for SSDI, you are asking Social Security to grant early access to that savings account. Social Security has set strict “medical” and “non-medical” guidelines to meet before allowing early access to that savings account. In addition to being found disabled, you must have worked long enough — and recently enough — under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. Your age and work history play an important role alongside your disability and medical treatments.

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income is a program meant for people with limited income and resources. In order to qualify, your household income and resources must be below specific limits. This program is available to disabled children, disabled adults and people over the age of 65 who meet the financial guidelines. In 2018, the maximum benefit for a disabled individual is $910.72 per month. However, SSA will determine your specific monthly benefit amount after reviewing your resources and expenses.

ADULT DISABLED CHILD (ADC)

Adults whose disability began before the age of 22 have an opportunity to file for SSDI benefits based on a parent’s Social Security earnings record if the parent meets specific criteria. The parent must either be receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits; or be deceased and have worked enough to qualify for Social Security.

DISABLED WIDOW OR WIDOWER (DWB)

If you are a widow or widower of a person who worked long enough to qualify for Social Security benefits, you may be eligible to receive survivors benefits. A disabled widow or widower over the age of 50 may be eligible to collect benefits under the deceased spouse’s record if their disability began prior to or within 7 years of the spouse’s death. These benefits are also available to a surviving divorced spouse if other specific criteria is met.