Disability is a term that covers a lot of ground in American society. You might think of it as a way of life, as the name suggests, or as a financial device. It’s sometimes called a benefit or a payment, depending on what type of income it is. It can be a way of avoiding the working world, or it can be a way to get back to work.
There are several different types of benefits. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs, but there are also state programs, private disability insurance policies, and so on. The government pays a portion of your benefits, but you have to pay taxes on them, too. Private disability insurance policies are generally available only if you have employer-provided health insurance, which means they are tied to your job.
You can receive SSDI/SSI benefits for a number of reasons. Some people are born with a physical or mental condition that makes them disabled. Others become disabled later in life. Still others have a temporary condition that makes them unable to work. Some disabilities are related to an accident, while others are caused by illness.
Some disabilities are so severe that they prevent people from performing any activities. For example, you might not be able to work because of a disability that affects your vision, hearing, mobility, speech, or learning. Other conditions are less severe, but they prevent people from engaging in normal daily activities, like eating, sleeping, or caring for themselves.
When you apply for SSDI/SSI, you usually must show that you are unable to work because of a disability. If you do, the Social Security Administration will determine whether you meet the requirements to receive disability benefits. It is important that you provide the Social Security Administration with a detailed description of your symptoms, how long they lasted, and the circumstances that cause them.
The Social Security Administration uses a five-step process to determine whether you are eligible for benefits. The first step is determining whether you have a disability. The second step is determining how severe your disability is. The third step is deciding how long you have been disabled. The fourth step is figuring out your future prospects. The fifth and final step is determining whether your disability prevents you from working.