Published on: June 7, 2016
The Social Security Administration was formed in 1935 and was intended to help support those who were unable to provide for themselves.
Ever since their doors have opened, the SSA has developed and updated various programs that are available to those who have different needs.
Two of the largest disability benefit programs that were created under the Social Security Administration include Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Both disability benefit programs serve the same purpose, to provide for those who are suffering from a Blue Book medical condition and are unable to participate in substantial gainful activity (SGA) for a minimum of 12 months.
Trends in Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI)
Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance which has an allocated tax for it, Supplemental Security Insurance is funded from general, or collective, tax dollars.
SSI was the replacement program for the Old-Age Assistance and the Aid to the Blind programs which were both enacted during the original Social Security Act of 1935.
If you are a recipient of SSI benefits, then depending on the state you live in, you may be eligible to receive additional supplemental benefits paid by your state of residence.
However, in the event that your condition improves, your SSI benefits will likely cease.
In 1980, SSI benefit recipients could receive reduced benefits if they were working and exceeding the SGA leve and their income level permitted receipt of such benefitsl.
In contrast to SSI, low-income Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries are permitted to receive both SSI and SSDI benefits depending on the amount of income and resources available to them.
Trends in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, functions as an insurance program. There is a separate payroll tax that employees pay into and their benefits are calculated based on their work credits and how much they have paid into it.
When the SSDI program was originally created in 1956, only workers who were 50 years of age or older and disabled adult children were eligible to receive these benefits.
As time progressed, the age limit of 50 was dismissed by 1960 and 7 years after that, these benefits were able to be awarded to widows of SSDI recipients.
According to the Social Security Administration,
“The tax is allocated to separate trust funds: the employee and employer each contribute 0.9 percent to the Disability Insurance Trust Fund, 5.3 percent to the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund, and 1.45 percent to the Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund… The combined benefit for the disabled worker and all dependents is subject to a maximum family benefit amount, which ranges from 100 percent to 150 percent of the worker's benefit.”
Future Trends in Disability Benefit Programs
The Social Security Administration has continued to grow and advance over the years. They have added more programs and updated outdated ones.
There are sure to be more trends in SSA disability benefit programs in the future, so you will want to stay up-to-date with how your benefits and requirements may be affected.
The compassionate professional advocates at Disability Benefits of Florida are well versed in the SSA jargon, history, processes and procedures and are here to help fight for the benefits you deserve.
