DISABILITY BENEFIT "BUILDING BLOCKS"

There are 2 primary disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration:

SSDI - SSDI stands for "Social Security Disability Insurance." It is called "Title 2" by Social Security offices or employees. SSDI is for covered wage earners who have paid tax into the Social Security Program and gain the required minimum number of work credits.  Work credits are the "building blocks" upon which SSDI is based. The tax refers to FICA tax that the worker has paid through payroll deductions (or if self employed, the tax was paid with the tax individual's federal tax return).  The monthly benefit for SSDI is based on the beneficiary's earnings record.  Persons who have never worked, have not worked long enough, or have not worked recently enough are not covered by SSDI and cannot receive these benefits.  Your Social Security office can tell you whether you have enough work credits to be covered by SSDI (Title 2). SSI is a totally different program.  (See below).

  SSI - SSI stands for "Supplemental Security Income."  SSI does not require any work credits or payment of FICA tax.  It is for elderly or disabled individuals who fall within the income and resource limits established for the SSI program. Since SSI is a need based program, applicants must show that they meet the financial eligibility requirements in addition to the medical (disability) requirements for SSI.  In Alabama, the maximum monthly SSI payment is $733 for a disabled individual and $1,100 for a disabled couple.  Because these benefits are so low, it is usually advantageous to apply for SSDI instead of SSI if the wage earner has enough work credits.  In some cases, a person may qualify for both SSDI and SSI payments if the combined benefit does not exceed $733 per month.  Example:  A person receives $400 per month in SSDI benefits and an additional $333 in SSI benefits.

Social Security disability claims are complicated.  Need help filing a new claim or appealing a denied claim?  New claims are frequently denied but may be won in the appeal process.  For a free no-obligation consultation, please call the Forsythe Firm in Huntsville at (256) 799-0297.  Never a charge unless you win your case and collect back payments.


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