Social Security Disability Benefits

Social Security Benefits

There are a number of benefits available under the Social Security Law. Our law firm represents individuals trying to get Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

The Social Security Disability Insurance program pays benefits to you and certain family members if you are “insured.” This means you have worked long enough, recently enough, and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings. The amount of benefits you can draw depends on your age and the amount of money you have paid in Social Security taxes as well as if you are allowed to draw benefits on your dependent children.

SSDI only last for a limited time. Insurability for Social Security benefits only lasts as long as your “Date Last Insured (DLI).” This is the last day of the quarter a claimant meets insured status for disability benefits. To check when your DLI is, call your local field office or create an account on the Social Security website.

Social Security benefits can be affected by some government retirement programs or VA benefits. You have to draw SSDI benefits for 24 months before you are eligible for Medicare.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income is for people who have never worked, children, and people whose insurability has run out under the SSDI program. SSI is based upon your income. If your resources and income are over the eligible amount, you do not qualify for SSI. There is a limit on the amount of SSI benefits a person can draw.

You can draw SSDI and SSI at the same time, but here are stipulations.

Medicaid begins the date you are approved for SSI benefits. If you are eligible for SSDI and SSI, then you are also eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

For more information about Social Security Benefits programs, visit ssa.gov.