Social Security Benefits: An Overview

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two important financial assistance programs that provide benefits for people that become disabled and are unable to work. The SSA offers benefits under the Social Security Disability (SSD) program to U.S. workers that have contributed to Social Security through payroll taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). The SSA also manages the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSI is funded by general funds from the U.S. Treasury. The program provides financial assistance to persons that have suffered a disability and have limited resources.

About Social Security Disability (SSD)
SSD is funded from taxes collected by Social Security from U.S. employees, employers and self-employed persons. An individual becomes eligible for this Social Security program by having an adequate amount of insurance credits based on his/her taxable work or the taxable work of certain family members. Generally, if a person has a physical or mental disability that makes him/her unable to do any kind of work for which he/she is suited (given the person's age, education and work experience) and the disability is expected either to last for at least one year or to result in death, then that person is considered to be "disabled" by the SSA.

What is the difference between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

• SSD pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are "insured." A person who is eligible to receive SSD will automatically be enrolled in Medicare after receiving 24 months of benefits.
• SSI pays you benefits based on financial need, whether or not you have ever worked. SSI is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). A person who is eligible to receive SSI automatically qualifies for Medicare (without a waiting period).