WORKER'S COMPENSATION & DISABILITY LAWYER IN GEORGIA
CONTACT US TODAYThe importance of understanding that there are different types of disability benefits and different ways of qualifying through the Social Security Administration cannot be overstated. There are two primary types of disability benefits offered by the Social Security Administration to protect disabled individuals and their families: Social Security Disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income. Although each program provides assistance to disabled individuals, different groups of disabled individuals may qualify for one set of benefits over another. The primary difference is that Social Security Disability benefits are based on the work history of the applicant who has paid into the program. Supplemental Security Income does not look at the applicant’s work history, but instead determines if they are of limited income and resources to determine if they qualify for benefits. Both Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability benefits provide assistance to disabled individuals who meet the federal definition of “disability.”However, our readers may wonder what the differences between SSI and SSD are. There are similarities and differences between the two programs, and determining what benefits you may qualify for can depend on an understanding of the similarities and differences. It is generally important for disabled individuals to be able to obtain the benefits they badly need, so it is worth understanding the similarities and differences and how you may qualify for benefits. Supplemental Security Income is available for disabled individuals, as well as the elderly and the blind. It is available to meet their basic needs, including food and shelter, that they might otherwise have a difficult time securing. The income and resources, or means, of the individual to provide for their needs help determine their eligibility for benefits, which is unlike how applicants for Social Security Disability benefits financially qualify for SSD benefits. SSD does not look at income and assets to qualify for benefits; it is based on work history and those who have paid in, and meet disability requirements, are entitled to receive it. Additionally, recipients of SSI benefits immediately qualify for Medicaid, whereas SSD beneficiaries may qualify for Medicare at some point. It is also important to be aware that the amount of financial benefit the recipient receives can vary considerably between the two programs. As always, the applicant for either type of benefit must also meet the requirements to be considered disabled, which means they must have a physical or mental medical condition expected to last for 12 months or longer, or result in death, that prevents them from working. There are many resources out there that are available to disabled individuals, which can also make the process seem complex. As a result, it is important for individuals suffering from a disability, and their families, to be as familiar with those options as possible. The benefits provided by SSI may not be familiar to everyone, but can be important to disabled individuals who do not meet the work history requirement to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, but can meet the economic requirements to qualify for SSI benefits. Social Security benefits, either regular or disability benefits, are generally based on what the worker has paid in and family members may also be able to receive the benefits in certain circumstances. On the other hand, SSI benefits are for disabled individuals who are elderly or disabled and also of limited means and resources. SSI benefits do not come out of Social Security trust fund, though the program is managed by the Social Security Administration. SSI benefits are paid out of the government’s general operating fund. The trust fund is also reimbursed from the general operating funds for the costs of running the SSI program. The variety of programs available, and the differences, requirements and benefits associated with them, can be complex, so it is important to thoroughly understand what options are available and the details for qualifying for each particular program that the disabled individuals may be eligible for. It is essential for many disabled individuals and their families to understand how to obtain badly needed disability benefits for their daily living. Understanding that Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability and basic Social Security retirement benefits are all different programs is an excellent starting point. It is additionally useful to understand how it may be possible to qualify for benefits under each program and how to qualify for SSI when it is needed.
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With 35 years of legal experience, Attorney Ellene Welsh specializes in assisting individuals in the Douglasville, Columbus, and West Georgia areas to secure Work Comp, Social Security Disability, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, leveraging her in-depth knowledge of the systems and collaborating with admin officials to secure her clients the financial support they deserve.
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