Types of Disability Claims

Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSD) AND (SSI)

When you are no longer able to work on a regular basis, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Under the law, "disability" means the "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months or result in death."
In other words, you may qualify if:

1.         You are unable to work;

2.         You have a physical or mental disability (which can be proven with medical records);

3.         Your disability will last at least 12 months or may result in death;

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFITS (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income Benefits (SSI) benefits are paid to people who are both poor and disabled. In addition, SSI children's disability benefits are paid to children 18 years old and younger who are disabled and whose parents or guardians are poor.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS (SSD)

Generally, Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD) are paid to disabled people who have some documented work history.

Generally, There are at least five major types of Social Security disability benefits. 

Disability Insurance Benefits is the most important type of Social Security Disability benefits.  It goes to individuals who have worked in recent years (five out of the last 10 years in most cases) who are now disabled. 

Disabled Widow's and Widower's Benefits are paid to individuals who are at least 50 and become disabled within a certain amount of time after the death of their husband or wife.  The late husband or wife must have worked enough under Social Security to be insured.

Disabled Adult Child Benefits go to the children of persons who are deceased or who are drawing Social Security disability or retirement benefits.  The child must have become disabled before age 22.  For Disability Insurance Benefits, Disabled Widow's or Widower's Benefits and Disabled Adult Child benefits, it does not matter whether the disabled individual is rich or poor.  Benefits are paid based upon a Social Security earnings record. 

Supplemental Security Income benefits, however, are paid to individuals who are poor and who are disabled.  It does not matter for SSI whether an individual has worked in the past or not. 

SSI child's disability benefits are a variety of SSI benefits paid to children under the age of 18 who are disabled.  The way in which disability is determined is a bit different for children.