Types of Disability Programs Available to You
The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs two main different disability programs. This is how they work:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people who worked and paid into the system. It provides monthly checks and Medicare access. Your payment is set by a formula including past income. National average payment in 2021: $1,277.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with limited work history and financial resources. It provides monthly checks and Medicaid eligibility. Your payment is a flat amount set by the government each year. National payment for an individual in 2021: $794.
It’s possible to receive both SSDI and SSI benefits. You could get SSI if your SSDI payments are low. Or you could get SSI to cover the gap from the time your income stopped to when you qualified for SSDI.
It’s FREE to have an initial conversation about your options with the disability attorneys at Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller & Taylor. And there’s no fee until you win.
What You Have to Prove to Get SSD Benefits
Social Security won’t take your word for it that you can’t work.
You have to prove it. Using medical documents, you must show the following:
- You can’t work—and the reason is bad health.
- You can’t change jobs either—even if you want to.
- Your medical problems have lasted, or will last, at least a year or may lead to death.
- You’ve worked enough to qualify for SSDI.
- You meet the income requirements for SSI.
You can qualify for disability benefits with many different medical conditions.
Regardless of diagnosis, winning benefits depends on the way your symptoms disrupt your life.
The disability lawyers at Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller & Taylor have decades of experience building cases for disability benefits.
You can also get disabled widow or widowers’ benefits if you are eligible and your spouse has died.
And if your health problems leave you struggling with debt, you can consider bankruptcy protection.
After health and financial trouble, let us help you move forward.
We’re with You Every Step of the Way
Whether you’re trying to determine if you’re qualified for disability benefits, you need help filing your application, or you received a denial notice and want another chance, our law firm helps from the beginning and stays by your side.
Have a Question about Disability Benefits?
Your health is bad. You can’t work. Your financial stability is threatened. So your head is swimming with questions. How will you get by? How does Social Security Disability work? We’ve gathered answers. See them here:
Disability FAQs »
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“Have a question? The entire staff is knowledgeable and willing to help. Concerned about some aspect of your case? Say something and they usually have the words to help reassure you.”
