Appendix B: SSDI AND SSI GENERAL INFORMATION

Social Security Title II and SSDI

Title II of the Social Security Act pertains to Federal Old-Age, Survivors, Family, and Disability Insurance benefits. To be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, an individual must be disabled (unable to engage in substantial gainful activity), earned a minimum number of credits from work covered under Social Security, and apply for benefits. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is financed with Social Security taxes paid by workers, employers, and self-employed persons. To be eligible for a Social Security benefit, the worker must earn sufficient credits based on taxable work to be "insured" for Social Security purposes. The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker. Most beneficiaries of SSDI receive health insurance coverage from Medicare as long as they are SSDI beneficiaries.

Under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, there are three basic categories of individuals who can qualify for benefits on the basis of disability (and who would be presumptively eligible for DVR services):

1. An insured worker with a disability under full retirement age.

2. An individual with a disability since childhood (before age 22) who is a dependent of a parent entitled to Title II disability or retirement benefits or was a dependent of a deceased insured parent.

3. A widow or widower with a disability, age 50-60, if the deceased spouse was insured under Social Security.

Other Social Security benefits for individuals without a disability (and who would not be presumptively eligible for DVR services) include:

• Retirement

• Survivors Benefits

• Family Benefits

Social Security Title XVI and SSI

Title XVI of the Social Security Act pertains to individuals with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 and older. Eligible SSI beneficiaries have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, which results in the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity and can be expected to result in death or has lasted (or can be expected to last) for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The SSI monthly payment varies up to the maximum federal benefit rate, which may be supplemented by the state or decreased by countable income and resources. Most recipients of SSI receive Medicaid.

Under the SSI program, there are three basic categories under which a financially needy person can get payments:

1. An adult (aged 18 and over) who has a disability.

2. A child (under age 18) who has a disability.

3. A person (aged 65) without a disability who meets the financial limits.

A person aged 65 and older with a disability and eligible for SSI prior to age 65 would be presumptively eligible for DVR services.