Social Security Disability Services

The Social Security Administration operates two disability related programs for individuals with disabilities.  SSDI - Social Security Disability Income  is a long-term disability income program that provides benefits to disabled workers who are under age 65 and who have paid a specified amount of Social Security tax for a prescribed number of quarter-year periods.  SSI - Supplemental Security Income provides financial assistance for people with lower incomes who are blind, aged, or have disabling conditions; eligibility is based on income an need, not on past earnings.   Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) A tool that you can use to find out if you could be eligible for benefits from any of the programs Social Security administers. This tool will give you eligibility information based on answers you give to the questions on the following pages; however, BEST is not an application for benefits.   Compilation of the Social Security Laws This is a two-volume set published biennially, following the end of each congressional session. Volume I contains the Act, as amended and selected provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Volume II contains the Appendixes of the Act, and provisions of public laws and statutes cited in the Act.   Code of Federal Regulations This publication includes sections under Title 20, Chapter III, which cover regulations on Federal retirement, survivors, disability insurance, supplemental security income for the aged, blind, disabled, and black lung programs.   The Disability Determination Process   Disability Starter Kits The Disability Starter Kit will help you get ready for your disability interview or online application. Kits are available for adults and for children under age 18.   Benefits for Children with Disabilities For the parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and adults disabled since childhood. It illustrates the kinds of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits a child with a disability might be eligible for and explains how we evaluate disability claims for children.   Disability Report Form Guide Tips to help you complete SSA application form, and tells you why we ask for the information on the form and how it's used to help make a decision about your application for disability benefits. Social Security's definition of disability Information About Social Security's Hearings and Appeals Process   How to Request a Hearing   Social Security Rulings and Acquiescence Rulings Precedential decisions relating to Federal old-age, survivors, disability, supplemental security income, and black lung benefits programs.   Benefits For People With Disabilities From the Social Security Administration