SSDI and SSI Basics

The Social Security Administration (SSA) designed the Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program to pay individuals monthly payment benefits that are unable to work due to a medical condition. There are specific Social Security Disability criteria to qualify for disability insurance under social security. A person has to have a disability that has lasted over one year, is expected to last for more than one year, or is expected to cause death.

The Federal law dictates a rather strict definition of what qualifies as a disability to be eligible for this benefit and does not extend to partial or short-term disability. The SSA only provides benefits for total disability.

The SSA designed the SSDI for those individuals who have not only worked but who have also paid Social Security taxes for years before becoming disabled. If an individual is qualified and deemed disabled, they will receive SSDI benefits regardless of the individual’s assets or family income.