Social Security Disability

The Social Security Administration oversees two benefits programs that provide payments based on disability. Those two programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 

SSDI is based on prior work while SSI payments are made on the basis of financial need.

The second program is called the Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It is financed through general revenues. Like SSDI, SSI disability benefits are payable to adults or children who are disabled or blind. However it is also applicable to people who have limited income and resources, meet the living arrangement requirements, and are otherwise eligible. 

 

SSDI is financed with Social Security taxes paid by workers, employers, and self-employed persons. If you were an employee, you would have seen a deduction on your check stub for social security. It is one of the deductions mandated by the government.

Social Security benefits are paid to workers who earn sufficient credits based on taxable work. They become insured according to the Social Security process. The non disability social security payment can be paid as early as age 62. It will be a reduced benefit but it is payable at 62.

The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker. As mentioned earlier, disability benefits are payable to blind or disabled workers, widow(er)s, or adults disabled since childhood who meet eligibility requirements. 

 

The monthly payment varies up to the maximum federal benefit rate, which may be supplemented by the State or decreased by countable income and resources. It is a very good idea to ask your representative for a complete break down on how much you will receive from both the federal and state government agencies.
States vary their payments and participation in the supplemental program. For example, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, Northern Mariana Islands, Tennessee and West Virginia do not pay a supplement to people who receive SSI.

The SSA administers the supplemental payments for California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Utah.
In Iowa, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont the SSI supplemental payment is administered by both the SSA and the state.

These States pay and administer their supplemental payments: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.