| Types of Social Security Disability Benefits | | | | parents. In addition to the medical requirement that you |
| The Social Security Administration has established a | | | | have a physical or mental impairment which prevents |
| number of different types of disability programs. | | | | you from working at a “substantial” gainful |
| Although the medical rules are similar under each | | | | level, and the condition has existed or is expected to |
| program, the technical rules on eligibility set each | | | | exist for at least a 12 month period, you must also |
| program apart. What program you may be eligible for | | | | show that your condition has existed and has been |
| depends on a number of factors, including your work | | | | disabling since before your 22nd birth date. In addition, |
| history, age, household income and marital status. You | | | | you must be the adult child of a parent who is |
| may be eligible for more than one type of benefits, but | | | | currently receiving DIB benefits, or the Adult child of a |
| generally SSA will pay you the higher benefit amount | | | | parent who is deceased and was |
| of any one program you may be entitled to. | | | | “insured” for purposes of eligibility for DIB |
| Disability Insurance Benefits: This program, also known | | | | benefits. It is not necessary that the adult child ever |
| as “DIB” or Title II benefits, awards | | | | worked because benefits are paid on the |
| benefits to individuals who, because of a physical or | | | | parent’s earnings record. The adult child must |
| mental impairment, are unable to work at a | | | | not have worked and earned “substantial |
| “substantial” gainful level, and their | | | | earnings” for an extended period at any point |
| condition has existed or is expected to exist for at | | | | after turning 22; however, certain expenses the adult |
| least a 12 month period. By “substantial,” | | | | child incurs in order to work may be excluded from |
| SSA means the claimant would be unable to earn | | | | these earnings. An adult child already receiving SSI |
| over $900.00 per month because of their disability. This | | | | benefits should check to see if benefits may be |
| dollar amount increases slightly every year. To be | | | | payable on a parent’s earnings record. Higher |
| eligible for DIB, a claimant must have worked long | | | | benefits might be payable and entitlement to Medicare |
| enough and paid enough into Social Security through | | | | may be possible. |
| their FICA taxes to be “insured.” As a | | | | Disabled Widow’s/Widower’s Benefits: If |
| general rule, if a claimant worked at least five of the | | | | you are a disabled widow or widower age 50 or older |
| last 10 years, he would be “insured” for | | | | you may be able to receive benefits off your |
| purposes of DIB. How much a claimant receives each | | | | spouse’s (or former spouse’s) Social |
| month if found disabled and entitled to DIB is based on | | | | Security record. If you are a widow or widower from |
| how much he “paid into” the system | | | | a spouse you were divorced from, to be eligible for |
| during his working life. Generally, the longer someone | | | | benefits you need to have been married to your |
| has worked and the higher his earnings, the more he | | | | spouse for 10 years or longer and your disability must |
| would be paid if found disabled. Individuals found | | | | have started before age 60 and within seven years of |
| disabled and entitled to DIB benefits may be awarded | | | | the date in which the worker died. If you were married |
| retroactive benefits. Retroactive benefits can only go | | | | to your spouse when they passed away, Social |
| back one year from the date of the initial application. | | | | Security does not require that you were married for 10 |
| There is a five-month waiting period from the date the | | | | years. In either case, you will need to provide proof of |
| claimant is determined to be disabled until entitlement to | | | | relationship in the form of your marriage certificate or |
| DIB benefits begin. To illustrate this, if a claimant files a | | | | divorce decree, along with your spouse’s death |
| claim for DIB on January 1, 2006 alleging disability as of | | | | certificate when you file for benefits. If you file a claim |
| February 2005, and SSA determines he is disabled | | | | for Disabled Widows/Widower’s benefits and |
| and his disability began February 1, 2005, he would be | | | | DIB or SSI benefits, you will receive only the higher |
| eligible for retroactive benefits starting in July 2005. In | | | | monthly benefit amount of the two programs. |
| addition to receiving individual DIB benefits, your minor | | | | Medical Insurance: Once you are found disabled and |
| children may also qualify for auxiliary benefits based on | | | | entitled to Social Security disability benefits, you will also |
| your disability. These benefits are granted in addition to | | | | be eligible for medical insurance though Medicare or |
| any benefit you receive. To ensure any minor children | | | | Medicaid. If you filed a claim for DIB, Disabled Adult |
| are awarded any benefits they may be entitled to, it is | | | | Child or Disabled Widow’s/Widower’s |
| important you furnish the names and Social Security | | | | benefits, you may be eligible for Medicare. However, |
| numbers of any minor children you have to SSA. The | | | | eligibility for Medicare does not start until you have |
| children do not have to live in the same household to | | | | been disabled for 25 months. If you are approved for |
| be eligible for auxiliary benefits. | | | | Social Security benefits under any of the above-listed |
| Supplemental Security Income: This program, also | | | | programs, SSA will contact you approximately two |
| known as SSI or Title 16 benefits, is a | | | | months before your eligibility for Medicare begins. If you |
| “needs-based” program in which | | | | have already been disabled for 25 months, be sure to |
| individuals with little or no resources or assets may | | | | keep a record of all medical bills as you may be |
| receive disability benefits. The medical criteria for SSI | | | | reimbursed by Medicare for these expenses. There is |
| eligibility is the same as that used for DIB — a | | | | no waiting period for Medicaid; however, your income |
| physical or mental impairment which prevents you | | | | and resources must be very low to qualify. If you have |
| from working at a “substantial” gainful | | | | applied for and have been approved for SSI you |
| level, and the condition has existed or is expected to | | | | probably qualify for Medicaid. You may think that |
| exist for at least a 12 month period. Effective January | | | | Medicaid and Medicare are the same, but actually they |
| 2007 the SSI payment for an eligible individual is $623 | | | | are two different programs. Medicaid is a state-run |
| per month and $934 per month for an eligible couple. | | | | program that provides hospital and medical coverage |
| There is no retroactive eligibility for SSI benefits: | | | | for people with low income and little or no resources. |
| benefits can go back only to the month in which your | | | | Each state has its own rules about who is eligible and |
| claim was filed. Unlike DIB, there is no five-month | | | | what is covered under Medicaid. Some people qualify |
| waiting period for entitlement to SSI, so your eligibility | | | | for both Medicare and Medicaid. For more information |
| would begin the month in which you filed your claim or | | | | about the Medicaid program, contact Social Security or |
| were determined to be disabled, whichever is later. A | | | | your local social services or welfare office. |
| claim for SSI benefits can also be filed on behalf of | | | | This article has been written to give you a general |
| any minor children with a disability; however, as with | | | | overview of the Social Security disability programs and |
| Adult SSI claims, to be entitled to SSI benefits the | | | | the disability process. As this article may not address |
| household income must be below certain limits. | | | | all questions you might have, please contact us for |
| Disabled Adult Child: This program provides disability | | | | further information. |
| benefits to adult children of deceased or disabled | | | | |