subject: Permanent Disability Claims For Us Workers [print this page] The Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are the two largest federal programs that provide permanent disability claims to Americans with severe medical condition.
While these programs are different in many ways, the two provide assistance to people who are suffering from a long-term or complete disability that prevents them from working.
According to the agency, beneficiaries will become eligible for Medicare (a federal program that will help them pay their medical bills) after receiving their SSD or SSI benefits for two years.
SSD BENEFITS
To become qualified for SSD benefits, claimants should have worked at least 10 years in the US and contributed enough Social Security funds. (The agency withholds 5 percent of the workers monthly salary that will serve as their contribution.)
People with certain impairments such as blindness, mental disorders, and medical conditions that affect body organs may also be qualified to receive SSD claims.
Claimants should also prove that they have a limited source of income. However, their bank accounts and their personal properties such as cars and houses will not affect their eligibility for this federal program.
SSI BENEFITS
Unlike SSD benefits, SSI program provide assistance to people even if they did not give contributions during their past employment.
This federal program, which is funded by general tax revenues, is focused on helping people with limited or no other source of income. Usually, SSI beneficiaries are old people and disabled individuals who are poor.
According to the agency, SSI benefits are based on the financial needs of claimants, thus allowing them to buy basic necessities such as food, medicine, shelter, and clothing.
REASONS FOR DENIAL OF BENEFITS
Some people who applied for SSD and SSI benefits were denied with their claims for several reasons.
According to the agency, claimants with partial or short-term disability are usually not eligible to receive any of these disability benefits. In its strict definition of disability, a person should be disabled for at least five months and that his condition is so severe that he cannot go to work and perform basic tasks.
Another common reason for denial is that claimants have other sources of incomes. Under federal law, a person may not receive SSD benefits if he has a monthly salary of more than $980 (or $1,640 if he is blind). In SSI benefits, the claimants monthly salary should not exceed more than $674 (or $1,011 for a couple).
People with an outstanding warrant of arrest for a crime of felony (punishable for at least one year in prison or death) or those who are in a correctional facility will not receive any disability benefit.
However, qualified family members of those who are in prison may still continue receiving their benefits.
