What you're missing and don't yet know
Disabled people pay attention: you can receive Social security disability benefits from the government’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and while also intended for those who are 65 years or older, SSI is a government benefits program specifically designed for individuals who are blind or disabled.
But what kind of benefits are we talking about?
Good question. While the actual number is adjusted every year according to the cost of living in the United States, the latest 2005 figures indicate that individuals who meet the criteria for disability benefits through the social security administration will receive $579 every month while couples are eligible for as much as $879.
Now, it is extremely important to recognize the fact that SSI works on a federal level in conjunction with individual states throughout the nation. This means that, depending on where you live, you could be rewarded even more if your state supplements the disability benefits of the socials security SSI program.
Of course, in addition to being elderly, blind or disabled (and the SSA has to agree that you are disabled as well), those who wish to receive disability benefits under SSI must meet a strict set of requirements in order to receive this kind of funding from the federal government.
US Citizenship is another main requirement. If an applicant for social security disability benefits is not in fact a US citizen, then he or she may be able to squeak by through proving permanent residency, political asylum, military service or status as a refugee.
Another requirement for receiving SSI money is that the beneficiary of these disability benefits must report an extremely low monthly income and next to no assets. How low, exactly, depends on the state. Typically, this means about $1000 a month for an individual and $1500 for a couple. It is important to note that the final amount of your income accounted for will typically be around half of this. The total value of a disability claimant’s property must not exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Remember, however, that these amounts can be reached after subtracting certain items such as home and car from the total property value.
So, to summarize the requirements for obtaining social security disability benefits through the SSI program stipulate that you must:
• be blind, disabled or over 65 years old
• have a low monthly income
• have few assets
• be a US citizen, resident, asylee or military serviceperson
If for some reason you don’t meet these requirements, it is important not to give up right away. Contact a disability lawyer in order to find out more about whether or not you are eligible for benefits from the social security program.
In addition, it is important to note that you can also be collect food stamps, receive Medicaid—and even home care or rehabilitation.
Disability Benefits from Social Security:
Along with Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Social Security Administration offers Disability Insurance, which is available to disabled people who have actually developed a specific amount of credits, or years of work, that can be applied toward benefits that can then be claimed.
Therefore, the claimants for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) must not only be disabled, but they must also demonstrate a history of work, of having “paid in” to the system in order to then get something out of it. The system works, essentially, as a system of credits which are accumulated through years of work and age.
Upon approval of your social security disability form, the SSA will then award you, the disabled person or couple, payments that correspond to your record of income earned prior to the disabling event. The total monthly amount typically varies between five hundred dollars and two thousand every month. After two years of consecutive payments, disabled benefits claimants through SSDI can then be eligible for Medicare, while Medicaid may be made available earlier to those who have low income.
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