Types of Social Security Benefits

Social Security Disability Help Center

Did you know?

A small number of Social Security disability claims are approved at the initial level.

What types of Social Security Disability benefits are there?

Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits are the most important type of Social Security benefits. They may be awarded to individuals who have worked fulltime in recent years (five out of the last 10 years in most cases) who are now disabled.
Disabled Widow's and Widower's Benefits are paid to individuals who are at least 50 and become disabled within 7 years after the death of their husband or wife. The late husband or wife must have worked enough under Social Security to be insured.
Child's Disability Benefits are a type of SSI program. It provides financial support to children age 17 or younger that are disabled. Social Security uses different rules for determining disability in a child's claim than in an adult's claim. To be found disabled, the child must have a physical or mental condition that causes marked and severe functional limitations. As with SSI claims, to be eligible for Child's Disability Benefits the parent's household income must not exceed a certain maximum level.
Disabled Adult Child Benefits must be paid to a child age 18 or older who became disabled before age 22 and to a full-time elementary or secondary student under age 19. If the parent is alive, he or she must be entitled to retirement or disability benefits. If deceased, the parent must have worked long enough under Social Security for survivor's benefits to be paid on the record.
Supplemental Social Security Income benefits are paid to individuals who are poor and who are disabled. It does not matter to SSI whether an individual has worked in the past. SSI child's disability benefits are a variety of SSI benefits paid to children under the age of 18 who are disabled.

More Social Security Disability Facts:

Disability may be a familiar enough concept to many people, but rarely do we think of the possibility of becoming disabled ourselves until we become ill or experience an accident. Surprisingly though, the chances of becoming disabled are probably far greater than you imagine. Studies show that someone who has worked 20 years has a 3-in-10 chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age.

Each year, you should receive a benefits estimate from the Social Security Administration which summarizes the years you have worked, how much money you have paid into the system, and your estimated monthly disability benefit.

If you are a widow (er) or divorced and have not remarried, you may qualify for disability benefits under your spouse's Social Security account. When the spouse is deceased, you must make a claim within 7 years of the spouse's death.

You may qualify for a percentage of your parent's benefits if you are currently a disabled adult child at least 19 years of age and can prove your disability began before your 22nd birthday (and your disability continues). Note: You must still be disabled.

If you are granted Social Security Disability benefits, you will be entitled to receive Medicare benefits two years from your disability onset date. If you are impoverished and unable to obtain medical treatment during any interim period, you may qualify for Medicaid benefits until your Medicare becomes effective.

Benefits normally continue until you are able to work again on a regular basis.

To learn more about who may qualify to receive Social Security Benefits, please click on the link to our "Who Qualifies for Benefits" page.

Always consult with an experienced social security disability professional when you need help getting your disability benefits!

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Jacoby & Meyers Social Security Disability Help Center

(Available 8 AM - 5 PM PST) 1-800-411-4LAW

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Jacoby & Meyers has offices and attorneys throughout the United States, with regional offices in Southern California, and New York.