Disability Benefits

Social Security offers two different types of disability programs:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSDI benefits are available for insured workers, their disabled surviving spouses, and children (disabled before age 22) of disabled, retired or deceased workers.

Most people do not think about becoming disabled. However, studies show that a 20-year-old worker has a 3 in 10 chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age.

In general, to get disability benefits, a person must meet two different earnings tests:

1. A �recent work� test based on your age at the time you became disabled; and

2. A �duration of work� test to show that you worked long enough under Social Security.

Certain blind workers have to meet only the �duration of work� test.

The SSA bases the amount of your Social Security benefit on your average lifetime earnings. If you are disabled and prevented from working, SSA will replace around 40 percent of your pre-disability income. The percentage of earnings is lower for people in upper income brackets and higher for people with lower incomes. You can get an estimate of your Social Security benefit by looking at your Social Security Statement. Your statement shows your lifetime earnings along with an estimate of your Social Security disability benefit. Family members of disabled workers may also be eligible for disability benefits from Social Security.

Once your application for disability benefits is approved, Social Security benefits will be paid starting with the sixth full month after the date your disability began. After you have received disability benefits for two years you will also automatically get Medicare coverage. Disability payments from private sources such as insurance benefits or a private pension do not decrease the amount of your Social Security benefit.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI benefits are available for some people with little or no income and resources. The Social Security Administration manages the SSI program. However, SSI is not paid for by Social Security taxes. SSI is paid for by U.S. Treasury general funds, not the Social Security trust funds. SSI makes monthly payments to people who have low income and few resources and are:

� Age 65 or older;

� Blind; or

� Disabled.

Whether people can get SSI depends on their income and resources (things they own). The basic SSI amount is the same nationwide. However, many states add money to the basic benefit. In Minnesota, the monthly SSI payment amount is $571.00.

Steve Fields is author of this article on MN disability benefits. Find more information about Social security disability here.