Social Security Disability Benefits
THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL IS GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM. FOR ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR SITUATION, PLEASE CALL Swanson, Thomas, Coon & Newton AT (503) 228-5222
A SOCIAL SECURITY PRIMER FOR CLAIMANTS
- What is the Social Security Program?
- The disability section of the Social Security Program
- Social Security's statutory definition of disability
What is the Social Security Disability Program?
The Social Security Program is the most important financial protection plan and social safety net in the United States. The original Social Security Act (1935) and the current version of the Act include several social welfare and social insurance programs. The larger and better known programs are:
- Federal Old-Age (Retirement), Survivors, and Disability Insurance
- Unemployment benefits
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Health Insurance for Aged and Disabled (Medicare)
- Grants to States for Medical Assistance Programs (Medicaid)
- State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Any time that a person's income is affected by significant events such as retirement, disability or death, Social Security may pay benefits.
The disability section of Social Security:
The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program.
1. Title II, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD). This program is for people who have a consistent work history, and works like a long-term disability insurance plan. The disabled worker receives benefits because he or she has paid contributions in the form of Social Security taxes on wages earned. This money comes from the FICA deduction taken from your paycheck.
2. Title XVI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This program is for people without a consistent work history or for those who have not paid enough Social Security taxes to get Social Security Disability Insurance. You can receive SSI if you are disabled or over 65 and you have very little income or property.
Social Security's definition of disability:
You are disabled under the Social Security law if:
- You cannot do "substantial gainful activity" (which means you cannot work);
- Your disability is because of a "medically determinable physical or mental impairment"; AND
- Your impairment has lasted or can be expected to last for 12 months or is expected to cause your death.
Our office, Swanson, Thomas, Coon & Newton, takes calls from claimants at any stage and answers questions they may have concerning the process, whether we represent them or not.
Social Security Disability Brochure
For a print version, download our Social Security Disability Brochure.
Swanson, Thomas, Coon & Newton, in partnership with the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) has produced informational brochures about Social Security disability benefits in the following languages:
