Social
Security Disability & Supplemental Security Income
Under the
federal Social Security Disability Act, "disability"
means the "inability to engage in any substantial gainful
activity by reason of any medically determinable physician or
mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous
period of not less than 12 months or result in death."
Social
Security Disability benefits (SSD)
Social
Security Disability Benefits or SSDI are paid to individuals who
have worked in recent years. Usually you have to work 5 out of the
last 10 years. For individuals under 31 years old, the
requirements are a little different since they have not been in
the work force as long.
Supplemental
Security Income benefits (SSI)
Supplemental
Security Income benefits or SSI are paid to individuals who are
low level income and disabled whether or not the individual has
worked in the past. SSI child's disability benefits are paid to
children who are under 18 years old, are disabled and the parents
or guardian are lower level income.
When
To File?
You
should file as soon as it is determined that you will not be able
to work during the next 12 months or your condition is expected to
lead to death. However Social Security is not a short term
disability. Therefore if you have an accident where you cannot
work for several days or even a few months, you will not be
entitled to Social Security Disability benefits.