Disability is something that most people do not like to think about. Studies show that a 20-year-old worker has a 3 in 10 chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age. SS pays disability benefits through two programs. The Social Security Disability (SSD) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSD benefits are based on taxes paid into the SS system, while SSI benefits are paid on a “needs based” criteria. In some situations an individual can receive both SSI and SSD at the same time.

You may be eligible to receive Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits if all of the following situations apply to you:

• You are under age 65-even if you are receiving retirement benefits.
• You are unable to work due to a mental or physical condition that you expect to last more then 12 consecutive months.
• You are not currently working or working very little.

You may be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income benefits if all of the following situations apply to you:

• You are under age 65-even if you are receiving retirement benefits.
• You are unable to work due to a mental or physical condition that you expect to last more then 12 consecutive months.
• You and your spouse are not currently working or working very little.
• You have under $2000.00 (individual) $3,000.00 (couple) in resources.