Introduction to Social Security Disability Insurance

The federal government has two programs that provides benefits to people with disabilities. These programs are also known as "Social Security disability benefits'. The SSID benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits Program is basically authorized by the Social Security Act, Title II that leads towards providing benefits to people with illness or disability. This includes their dependents such as children and spouse. The SSI or Supplemental Security Income program is approved by the Social Security Act XVI. This aims in giving benefits to people with disability. This includes those with income and assets that are under a specific level.

Background on Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits

In the year 1935, the federal government of the United States created a program that leaned towards giving the elderly workers in the industrial and commercial sectors with retirement benefits. This type of scheme is ratified through the Federal Insurance Contributions Act or FICA. This is considered as a federal retirement fund that workers needed to pay. By regular reduction to the employee's salary, they can now remit to this fund. The Medicare programs and Social Security are funded after FICA tax is deducted to the employee's salary. For those who are self employed citizens, they can pay their contribution to the FICA through their federal tax returns. During the 1956, the protection policies that cover the involuntary retirement options based on a particular disability were founded. If a person is forced to stop working due to an accident or a disability, he or she can still avail the disability insurance. This will depend on what period the FICA taxes were paid.

The main objective of SSDI

SSDI's major objective is to substitute the regular income received by individuals who obtained a disability and cannot work anymore or on hold with their current work; given that individual has paid sufficient FICA taxes. This program is financially supported by the Social Security Taxes that is being paid through remittances by employers, employees and those who are self employed. This can be paid to employees with disability, children, widowers and widows or even those who are disabled since childhood if they are qualified.

Getting the SSDI benefits

There is a specific definition of disability that needs to be identified according to Social Security. This is needed in order to receive the benefits in SSDI. To qualify, the main requirement is the inability of the person to perform any kind of Substantial Gainful Activity for about 12 months or so.

How to determine a disability

A person with disability won't be able to perform SGA because of an ailment that affects the mental and physical ability of the person and must be determined medically. The disability is expected to last at least 12 month or may result to death.

In receiving benefits

If the person qualifies for the disability evaluation, payments for SSDI benefits will begin. The waiting period for the beneficiary is 5 months. During the 6th month after the disability started, payment on benefits starts. This will carry on until the second month's end of the impairment.