Types of Disabilities & Disability Benefits

There are primarily two types of disability benefits available through the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Social Security Disability (SSD) is a benefit program for those who have worked and paid Social Security taxes for five out of the last ten years, and are now totally disabled due to illness or injury.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is available to those who are totally disabled and whose income and assets fall within certain limits. No previous work history is required for SSI. In some cases, children can obtain SSI benefits.

For either SSD or SSI, in most cases you must be able to prove that you can no longer perform your former job or any other type of work because of your disability. Your condition must also be one that will last 12 months or longer.

There are some exceptions to these requirements and there are also other types of disability benefits available through the SSA, so it's best to check with our office if you have questions about your eligibility for benefits.

Types of Disabling Conditions

Some of the disabling conditions that can make you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI include:

• Back problems
• Psychological problems
• Arthritis
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Lung disease
• Lupus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & other immune system disorders
• Cancer
• AIDS
• Multiple Sclerosis

What You Can Expect To Collect

For SSD, the Social Security Administration uses a formula based on your average lifetime earnings and the total number of years you have worked to calculate the SSD benefit amount.

As of August 2009, the average SSD benefit amount is $1,064 per month; you can receive up to a maximum of approximately $2,449 per month, depending on your past earnings. If you have a family, they could receive additional benefits, up to 50 percent of your own monthly benefit amount.

For SSI, your benefit amount depends on your living arrangement, the assets you own, and any income you receive.