Notably, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers a wide range of benefits programs to financially aid individuals who need it the most. However, each benefits program comes with a strict set of eligibility criteria that must be completely met without exception. Namely, the most popular programs are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Though they may sound similar, they carry widely different functions made for widely different eligible individuals. Read on to discover whether you qualify for SSI or SSDI benefits and how a seasoned New Jersey SSDI benefits lawyer at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur can help you make the right determination.
How do I know whether I qualify for SSI or SSDI benefits?
On the one hand, the SSI benefits program is meant to serve as an income supplement for adults and children who need assistance paying for their basic needs (i.e., food, clothing, and shelter). Therefore, individuals eligible for this program have limited income and resources and are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. Specifically, to be considered disabled, individuals must have a physical or mental impairment that prevents them from engaging in substantial gainful work; has lasted or is expected to last 12 months or longer; or is likely to result in death.
Contrastingly, on the other hand, the SSDI benefits program is meant to serve as an income supplement for adults who cannot work because they have a physical or mental impairment. Therefore, individuals must pass a recent work test and a duration of work test to qualify. For one, the recent work test determines whether the individual worked for a sufficient period immediately before they incurred their disability. Then, the duration or work test determines whether the individual worked for enough years in their adult life before they incurred their disability. Lastly, the individual must have a disability seen on the SSA’s established list.
What are other available SSA benefits programs?
As part of the SSDI benefits programs, other family members of the applicant may also qualify for such financial aid. That is, an applicant’s spouse who is 62 or older, disabled, or caring for a child who is 16 or younger. Or, an applicant’s child or adopted child with a physical or mental impairment. An applicant’s spouse or former spouse may even be eligible for survivor’s benefits.
In addition, the SSA may allow a disabled adult child to qualify for a disability benefits program under their parent’s account. This is so long as the parent is deceased, retired, or disabled. Plus, if the child’s disability onset date was before they turned 22 years old. Also, if the child is not yet married. And lastly, if the child has not engaged in substantial gainful work in any year after turning 22.
If you believe you need a nudge in the right direction, you should feel comfortable turning to a competent New Jersey SSDI benefits lawyer for aid. With that being said, do not hesitate to contact The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur.
