Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
For workers who have acquired insured status by earning work credits
If you’re insured, the SSDI program will pay benefits to not only you, but your family as well. Only workers with enough work credits earned will qualify for SSDI. SSI and SSDI are different programs, but applicants are required to meet the same medical requirements. If you meet the non-medical requirements, benefits are paid out monthly if your medical condition is fatal or is expected to last more than 12 months.
Disabled Widow's Benefits (DWB)
For the widow of a disabled worker between the ages of 50 and 60.
Through Disabled Widow’s Benefits, surviving spouses (and divorced surviving spouses) can obtain disability benefits based on the work record of their deceased spouse. The surviving spouse must be at least 50 years old to apply for these benefits. In order to qualify, this spouse must provide evidence of the onset of the disability occurring before age 60 and no later than seven years after the death of the deceased spouse.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Based on financial need
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program gives monthly payments to the disabled who have income below the specified financial limitations. If you’re disabledand meet these financial qualifications, you are eligible to receive SSI payments. The amount provided depends on your current income and your living arrangements. Therefore, not all program participants receive the same monthly amount. Unlike SSDI, SSI is available to disabled children under the age of 18.
You may apply for SSI disability if you
- Are disabled.
- Are a U.S. citizen
- Have limited income (including pensions).
- Have limited assets resources
Disabled Adult Child
For children (over the age of 18) of a deceased or disabled worker
A disabled person under the age of 22 might consider applying for Social Security Disability Income to obtain better benefits. In this program, the beneficiaries are cited as “Adult Disabled Children,” because they collect benefits from Social Security Disability due to their parent’s work record. The child receiving said benefits must become disabled before they turn 22 years old.
Other Disabled Adult Child Eligibility Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be unmarried
- Must fit the Social Security Administration's definition of disabled, and the impairment must be expected to be fatal or have lasted at least one year.
- Must not have substantial income. The maximum amount a disabled person who isn’t blind can currently make is $1,310 per month.