SSI (Supplemental Social Security Income) is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that assists elderly, disabled, or blind Americans with limited income and resources. Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on work credits that a person has accrued from working over their lifetime, SSI provides much-needed assistance to people who are disabled and with limited income, regardless of work history. Florida, unlike many other states, offers very few other kinds of disability assistance programs apart from SSI and SSDI.

Some of us tend to think of disability only in terms of what can be physically seen—a missing limb perhaps, or maybe an assistive device such as a wheelchair, hearing aid, or white cane. Of course, it’s important to remember that not all disabilities have a physical manifestation, and that’s what is meant by the term “invisible disability.” Invisible disabilities are those that are not immediately apparent to others. In fact, invisible disability statistics reveal that 10% of the United States population has a medical condition that could be considered a type of invisible disability. 

Your social security disability benefits claim was denied, so you requested a hearing and you’re finally getting your day in court. While this is a great opportunity to finally be heard in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), for many people, the idea of a disability hearing can be intimidating which can lead to bad decision-making. But with proper preparation, the process doesn't have to be frightening and you can come out a winner.

Raising a child with disabilities can be difficult for any family, but even more challenging for those with low incomes. In these situations, families often wonder if their child may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. 

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions, and more than 50 million adults suffer from one form or another. One often-debilitating type of arthritis that affects 1.3 Americans is rheumatoid arthritis, or RA. According to the Arthritis Foundation:

Most of us understand that Social Security retirement benefits are not based on your needs—they’re based on how much income you earned during your working life. The Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps a record of these earnings and pays benefits based on the average amount earned over your lifetime, provided a minimum number of work hours have been accumulated. Basically, you’re paying into the system throughout your working life to reap the rewards upon retirement. But how does this work when filing for disability? Are the rules and regulations the same?

Knowing which Social Security disability benefits you qualify for can sometimes be complicated to sort out when you’re also struggling with a serious medical condition. The Social Security Administration (SSA) relies upon medical evidence when evaluating your disability claim, which makes it important for you to know what kinds of medical tests and other records you may need when applying for benefits.

If you suffer from agoraphobia, you know the challenges it can impose upon your daily life. Even stepping outside your home for a few moments can cause panic and severe anxiety. To make matters worse, people who don’t have experience with this disorder often have a difficult time understanding just how debilitating it can be and how it can impact your ability to maintain personal and professional relationships.

If you were married to someone who is now deceased, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits. These benefits operate similarly to an insurance program; everyone pays into Social Security through a portion of the taxes taken out of their income. Should you ever become disabled and can no longer work, you can apply to receive disability benefits from this fund.