Social Security Administration. Disability Programs

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1 Social Security Administration Disability Programs

2 Types of Disability Programs Social Security benefits for workers Social Security benefits for adults disabled since childhood Social Security benefits for disabled widows/widowers age 50 and older Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for children and adults

3 Social Security Disability Insurance To qualify, the disabled person must have a recent work history Special rules apply to younger persons who need less work to qualify

4 Social Security Benefits for Adults Disabled Since Childhood Benefits can be paid on the record of a disabled, retired or deceased parent to an unmarried child of any age if the child became disabled before the age of 22

5 Social Security Benefits for Disabled Widows/Widowers Age 50 or Older Benefits can be paid on the record of a deceased spouse / ex-spouse under certain requirements.

6 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Who Can Get SSI? People with limited income and resources who are: blind, at any age; or disabled, at any age; or age 65 or older

7 Disability for an Adult (Over Age 18) Both Social Security and SSI Must have a physical or mental impairment (or combination of conditions) Inability to perform substantial work activity Disability must be expected to last 12 consecutive months or result in death We consider age, education and past work activity There are a number of other special rules for people who are blind.

8 The Decision Process The Kentucky Disability Determination Services (DDS), a state agency, completes the disability decision for SSA. Doctors and disability specialists in this state agency ask the individual s doctors for information about their condition. They use the medical evidence from the doctors and hospitals, clinics or institutions where the individual has been treated and all other information pertaining to their condition(s).

9 The Decision Process We use a five-step disability decision process. 1. Are you working? If you are working and your earnings average more than a certain amount each month, we generally will not consider you disabled. The amount changes each year. For 2011, the current figure is $1,000. If you are not working, or your monthly earnings average the current amount or less, the state agency then looks at your medical condition.

10 The Decision Process 2. Is your medical condition severe? For the state agency to decide that you are disabled, your medical condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work activities such as walking, sitting and remembering for at least one year. If your medical condition is not that severe, the state agency will not consider you disabled. If your condition is that severe, the state agency goes on to step three.

11 The Decision Process 3. Is your medical condition on the List of Impairments? The state agency has a List of Impairments that describes medical conditions that are considered so severe that they automatically mean that you are disabled as defined by law. If your condition (or combination of medical conditions) is not on this list, the state agency looks to see if your condition is as severe as a condition that is on the list. If the severity of your medical condition meets or equals that of a listed impairment, the state agency will decide that you are disabled. If it does not, the state agency goes on to step four.

12 The Decision Process 4. Can you do the work you did before? At this step, the state agency decides if your medical condition prevents you from being able to do the work you did before. If it does not, the state agency will decide that you are not disabled. If it does, the state agency goes on to step five.

13 The Decision Process 5. Can you do any other type of work? If you cannot do the work you did in the past, the state agency looks to see if you would be able to do other work. It evaluates your medical condition, your age, education, past work experience and any skills you may have that could be used to do other work. If you cannot do other work, the state agency will decide that you are disabled. If you can do other work, the state agency will decide that you are not disabled.

14 Verification of Disability When someone is approved for disability, they receive an award notice. This notice is the primary verification of their disability approval. If the individual no longer has their award notice, then they can request a Proof of Income letter online. If internet service is not available, then they can call SSA at or visit their local SSA office.

15 To Learn More About Social Security Call, visit or go online to find any of these pamphlets Disability Benefits Publication No Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Publication No Benefits For Children With Disabilities Publication No

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