Social Security Help:

Types of Social Security Benefits

Social Security Disability benefits pay money to disabled individuals if the individual meets certain eligibility qualifications. Social Security has five major categories of benefits, each with different requirements. The first four types of Social Security Disability benefits are based on an individual's Social Security earnings record and work history, and not the wealth or poverty of the individual. If you have been denied your disability benefits, fill out our free case evaluation form.

The first type of Social Security Disability benefit is Social Security Disability Insurance, commonly referred to as SSDI. In most cases, SSDI is available to individuals who become disabled but have worked five out of the last 10 years. If you are under 31 years of age, however, the rules are a little different because you have not been working for very long. The next two types are Disabled Widow's and Widower's Benefits. Like SSDI, to qualify for Disabled Widow's and Widower's Benefits an individual must work a required amount of time under Social Security. To qualify, individuals must also be at least 50 years old and become disabled within a certain amount of time after the death of their spouse.

The fourth type of benefits is Disabled Adult Child Benefits. These are available to children who become disabled before age 22, if the child's parents are deceased or drawing Social Security disability or retirement benefits. Again, SSDI, Disabled Widow's or Widower's Benefits and Disabled Adult Child Benefits are based on the Social Security earnings record and not the individual's wealth.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the fifth type of benefit. Under the SSI program, the government provides payments to an adult or child who is disabled and has limited income and resources. It provides cash to provide for the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. SSI benefits are based on need, not on work history.