Published on: June 13, 2014
"The Social Security Act, which was first passed in 1935, is an act that was originally designed to, as it is recorded on the SSA.gov website:
Provide for the general welfare by establishing a system of Federal old-age benefits, and by enabling the several States to make more adequate provision for aged persons, blind persons, dependent and crippled children, maternal and child welfare, public health, and the administration of their unemployment compensation laws; to establish a Social Security Board; to raise revenue."
The goal of the organization was both simple and noble—to provide support to those in need. Over the decades, this organization has grown and evolved to meet the challenges presented to it.
Now, Social Security provides benefits to millions of Americans. However, not all benefits provided by Social Security are the same. Benefits provided under Social Security include:
- Social Security Disability Income (SSDI).
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- Retired Worker Benefits.
- Survivor Benefits (paid to the widow(er) or child of a deceased worker).
The primary form of benefits we typically handle here are the SSDI and SSI benefits. The SSA’s Social Security disability program allows millions of Americans to be able to support themselves and their families when they suffer from conditions that would otherwise prevent them from doing so.
Benefits of SSDI
The Social Security Disability Insurance program is a program that provides financial assistance to Americans who are unable to work because of a permanent disabling condition.
In order to receive benefits under the SSDI program, the person to receive benefits must have contributed enough to the Social Security trust fund to be considered “insured” under the program. So, this particular program could be considered an insurance-like benefits program paid out to workers who become disabled.
However, you aren’t the only person who can benefit from your contributions to Social Security. If you have a child or spouse, they can use your earnings record in order to qualify for benefits. So, not only can Social Security help you provide for your family if you become disabled, you can also use it to help cover the expenses of qualified family members.
SSDI benefits also include Medicare coverage under Parts A, B and D, as authorized by Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. This provides benefits that can reduce the financial sting of hospital visits, medication, and related medical costs. This does not exclude you from applying for other medical insurance programs.
If your spouse or child’s medical expenses are very high, applying for Medicaid may prove to be more beneficial than relying solely on SSDI benefits. The two programs are not mutually exclusive. However, benefits from one may influence your eligibility for the other.
In general, the benefits you receive from SSDI are based on your lifetime average earnings that were covered by Social Security. Receiving other benefits based on work not covered by Social Security can result in the SSA reducing SSDI benefit payments.
Benefits of SSI
Supplemental Security Income works a little differently from SSDI. While you still need to meet the SSA’s criteria for disability status (or be over the age of 65), your work contribution to Social Security is not a factor. Instead, the SSA requires that you “must have limited income and resources.” If you don’t qualify for SSDI because of your work history, you may still be able to qualify for SSI benefits.
Rather than paying you an amount of money based on your work history, SSI benefits pay you based on the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). This amount changes from year to year, but for 2014, the FBR is $721 for a qualified single person and $1,082 for a qualified couple. The SSA subtracts your “countable income” from this number to determine how much you should receive in benefits under SSI.
The term “countable income” is used because not all of your income is used to determine your payments. According to the SSA’s handbook on SSI benefits, income that does not count against you includes:
- The first $65 a month you earn from work, and half of the amount over $65.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly referred to as food stamps).
- Most forms of home energy assistance.
- Certain wages and scholarships for students.
- Expenses that you incur that are related to your medical condition and allow you to continue working can be deducted from your wages when computing your "countable income."
Once the SSA has determined how much you are eligible for under the FBR, they then add any applicable state-based supplements to that amount. These supplements naturally vary from state to state;it is important to consult with a disability expert from your state to see what you could receive. It should be noted that the State of Florida does not participate in this program and does not supplement the amount that is paid by SSI.
Get Assistance in Getting Benefits
If you’re seeking Social Security Benefits, don’t forget that you can get help. The dedicated disability advocates at Disability Experts of Florida are here to assist you with your Social Security claim.
