| Often times an illness or some type of debilitating | | | | A widowed person can draw social security disability |
| condition hinders a person from being able to do what | | | | based on the amount of money that was earned by |
| they used to do. Disability benefits can be a life saver | | | | the spouse. Children who are disabled can receive |
| in this unfortunate circumstance. Many working people | | | | SSD if the parent has worked the standard amount of |
| scoff at the more thought of a person (especially a | | | | time. |
| young person) applying for their disability. These | | | | Persons who receive SSI benefits can generally |
| scoffers contend that the disabled person is just "too | | | | receive food stamps also because of their level of |
| lazy to work". Poppycock! Don't let that stop you from | | | | poverty. Most people on SSI disability benefits are also |
| applying. | | | | eligible for Medicaid. Particular Medicaid conditions are |
| There are different typed of disability a person may | | | | listed in a book along with approval criteria for that |
| be able to receive--let's discuss Social Security. SSD | | | | illness. This criteria must render you disabled according |
| (Social Security Disability) is largely dependent upon | | | | to the social security disability system. This manual |
| how many years you have worked in the last 10 | | | | does not list every single condition that qualifies you for |
| years and your earnings. For persons over 30 years | | | | disability benefits. The Social Security Administration |
| old, the requirement is normally that they have worked | | | | not only looks at a persons inability to do their past |
| for at least 5 out of the past 10 years. Also the | | | | work. They also inquire about "other work". This is |
| claimant must have a physical or mental incapacity | | | | defined as work that the claimant has both the |
| which disables them from performing their past job or | | | | capacity and education or skills to do. If you are able to |
| any other gainful employment. Education and age also | | | | perform any job that cann place and keep you in the |
| play a significant role in whether or not you are | | | | "gainful employment" status, the Social Security |
| rewarded disability benefits. | | | | Disability or SSI will turn you down for benefits. |
| With SSI (Supplemental Security Income) a claimant | | | | According to the Social Security Administration's |
| must be in the low income level to qualify. It has nothing | | | | viewpoint, the older you are when you apply for help |
| to do with the amount of work you have done or the | | | | from them, the easier it is to receive that help. They |
| amount of money you have or have not earned. It is | | | | figure that older people's work skills and education is |
| considered an "in-kind" program--such as food stamps | | | | more outdated. The aged applicant is less apt to be |
| and AFDC (Aid To Families With Dependent Children). | | | | denied benefits because of an "other work" job. |
| If you do not expect to be out of commission for at | | | | A person who cannot or has a problem performing |
| least 12 months, then you need not apply for disability | | | | SSRT's (simple routine repetitive tasks) also stands a |
| because the 12 month period is one of the rules unless | | | | better chance at qualifying for disability. |
| you are expecting to expire as a result of your illness. | | | | |