.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
Resourceful Links & FAQ's
The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) administers four basic programs to provide financial assistance to people who cannot work because of a disability. While there are some similarities between these programs, each one is aimed at assisting a particular type of disabled person and has its own set of requirements and conditions.We’ve answered some questions people frequently ask us about disability benefits below.
Social Security Disability Links:
National Resources:
- Schnaufer — SSDI Cases and Rulings
- Disability Judges — Administrative Law Judge Case Statistics
- Disability Benefits 101 — Tools and information on health coverage, benefits, and employment.
- Social Security Disability Resource Center — Free information on getting disability benefits.
- Disability Care Center — Social Security Disability resources.
- Olmstead Rights — Disability rights self-help tools and resources, and legal advocacy tools
Minnesota:
- Social Security Chicago Region — Office locations in Minnesota.
- Bridge to Benefits —Types of programs you or a family would qualify for in the state of Minnesota.
- ProJusticeMN — Minnesota’s online poverty law resource for anyone advising low-income or disadvantaged clients.
- DB101 Minnesota — Tools and information on health coverage, benefits, and employment.
- JustUs Health | Social Security — SSDI resources and information.
- JustUs Health | Minnesota Programs — Minnesota state-sponsored disability programs.
- JustUs Health | Additional Resources — Benefits counseling and legal advice.
- Minnesota Disability Resources and Advocacy Organizations — List of resources provided by OlmsteadRights.org.
- Disability Benefits 101 / Minnesota Department of Human Services
- Minnesota State Assistance Programs for SSI Recipients
- Minnesota Disability Benefits: Social Security Filing and Insurance Options
California:
- SSDI/SSI — Information from the California Department of Social Services.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in California 2020 — Fact sheet from SSA.
- DB101 California — Tools and information on health coverage, benefits, and employment.
- Social Security / SSI — Resources from Disability Rights California.
- Social Security Disability California | SSI Disability California — Resources from The Arc of California.
- State Disability Insurance —Information on California state disability programs.
- Services for People with Disabilities — Resources from the California Employment Development Department.
- CA Department of Developmental Services — Resources for Californians with developmental disabilities.
- CA Department of Rehabilitation — California Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.
- California Disability Resources and Advocacy Organizations — List of resources provided by OlmsteadRights.org.
Missouri:
- DB101 Missouri — Tools and information on health coverage, benefits, and employment.
- State of Missouri Disability Portal — Information on Missouri state disability programs.
- State of Missouri Disability Portal | Disability Benefits — Information on Missouri state disability programs.
- State of Missouri Disability Portal | Search Resources — Search for disability resources by county.
- State of Missouri Disability Portal | Educational Resources — Educational resources for people with disabilities.
- Missouri Disability Resources and Advocacy Organizations — List of resources provided by OlmsteadRights.org.
- Missouri Disability Resources — List of resources provided by Warrensburg Independent Living Solutions (WILS).
- Senior & Disability Services | Health & Senior Services
- Missouri Disability Benefits: Social Security Filing and Appealing
- Filing for SSDI or SSI Disability in Missouri
Nevada:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Nevada — Fact sheet from SSA.
- Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center (NDALC) — Nonprofit protection and advocacy system for people in Nevada with disabilities.
- Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Local Resources — List of local resources for people with disabilities.
- Nevada Disability Resources and Advocacy Organizations — List of resources provided by OlmsteadRights.org.
- Disability Services— Services available for people with disabilities in Nevada.
- Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities — Promoting experience-based informed choice for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Nevada Care Connection — Nevada Care Connection Aging and Disabilities Resource Center.
- Nevada Aging & Disability Services
- Rehabilitation Division Bureau of Disability Adjudication
- Nevada Disability Benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance and SSI
- Filing for Social Security Disability in Nevada
Florida:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — Information provided by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
- Disability Determinations — The Division of Disability Determinations is responsible for making the determination of medical eligibility for Florida citizens who apply for disability benefits.
- Disability Rights Florida — Florida’s designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system for individuals with disabilities.
- Social Security Benefits — Information provided by Disability Rights Florida.
- Florida Disability Resources and Advocacy Organizations — List of resources provided by OlmsteadRights.org.
- Aging and Disability Resource Centers — Information and referral services from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.
- Social Security and Disability | Florida — An overview of Social Security benefits from the Lupus Foundation of America.
- APD – Agency for Persons with Disabilities – State of Florida
- Filing for Disability in Florida: Social Security and SSI
- Florida Disability: Social Security Disability Insurance and SSI
Illinois:
- IDHS: Disability Determination Services — Program responsible for determining the eligibility of Illinois citizens to receive benefits under Social Security’s disability programs.
- Illinois Healthcare Portal Person with a Disability — List of resources and services provided by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
- Illinois Disability and Health Program — A collaboration initiated jointly by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
- Disability Resources — Services provided by the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.
- Persons with Disabilities Services — Services provided by the Illinois Secretary of State.
- Disability Benefits Estimator — Calculate your estimated benefit amount.
- Disabilities guidebook: social security disability benefits — Information provided by Illinois Legal Aid Online.
- Illinois Disability Resources and Advocacy Organizations — List of resources provided by OlmsteadRights.org.
- Social Security Chicago Region – Disability Determination Services
- Filing for Disability in Illinois: Social Security and SSI
- Illinois Disability Benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance and SSI
Types of Disability Benefits
What Are the Four SSA Disability Programs?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers four primary disability programs:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Provides benefits to disabled individuals who have paid into Social Security through payroll taxes.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Offers assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and resources, regardless of work history.
Disabled Adult Child (DAC) Benefits: SSDI benefits for adults who became disabled before age 22 and have a parent who is retired, disabled, or deceased.
Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits: SSDI benefits for widows or widowers who are at least 50 years old and become disabled within a specific time after the death of their spouse.
What Are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits?
SSDI benefits are payments provided to individuals who have a qualifying disability and have worked enough years while paying into Social Security. The amount of the benefit is based on the recipient’s earnings record. SSDI may also provide benefits to eligible dependents, such as spouses and children.
What Are SSDI Benefits for Disabled Adult Children?
SSDI benefits for disabled adult children are available to individuals who:
Became disabled before age 22.
Are the child of a parent who is receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits or is deceased. The child does not need to have a work history, but their disability must meet SSA criteria.
What Are SSDI Benefits for Disabled Widows and Widowers?
These benefits are for widows or widowers who:
Are between the ages of 50 and 60.
Have a qualifying disability that began within seven years of their spouse’s death. The widow(er) must meet SSA's definition of disability and cannot remarry before age 50 if they wish to claim these benefits.
What Is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
SSI is a needs-based program that provides financial assistance to individuals who:
Are 65 or older, blind, or disabled.
Have limited income and resources. Unlike SSDI, eligibility for SSI does not depend on work history but rather on financial need.
What Are the Differences Between SSDI and SSI?
Eligibility:
SSDI: Requires a work history where the individual has paid Social Security taxes.
SSI: Based on financial need and does not require a work history.
Funding:
SSDI: Funded through payroll taxes.
SSI: Funded through general tax revenue.
Medical Benefits:
SSDI: Recipients qualify for Medicare after 24 months of receiving benefits.
SSI: Recipients usually qualify for Medicaid immediately.
Payment Amount:
SSDI: Based on the recipient’s earnings record.
SSI: Fixed federal benefit rate with possible state supplements.