Paralysis Resource Guide - (Page 250) WORKING THE SYSTEM SOCIAL SECURITY AND DISABILITY There are two main Social Security programs that support people with disabilities: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are available to workers who have “medically determinable” impairments that prevent them from staying on the job or from performing any “substantial gainful activity.” SSDI is the safety net for workers who cannot be helped by adjustments and adaptations called "reasonable accommodations” set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Disability under Social Security is based on one’s inability to work. Under the rules, you are considered disabled if you cannot do the work you did before and it is concluded that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition. It must be expected that your disability will last for at least one year or result in death. In addition, you must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. This means that a person must have worked at least 5 of the 10 years immediately before the disability and paid FICA taxes during that time. A high percentage of initial SSDI claims are denied by Social Security, but there are various levels of the appeals process. To win a claim at any level, an applicant must provide medical evidence of a disabling condition. The best source of this evidence is the applicant’s doctor, not the applicant. SSI Supplemental Security Income is a program that provides monthly payments to people who have limited income and resources if they are 65 or older or if they have a disability. SSI benefits are not based on your work history or that of a family member. Depending on the state where you live, the benefits and services that come with SSI include food stamps and paid Medicare premiums (all states). In most states, SSI recipients can also get Medicaid coverage for hospital stays, doctor bills, prescription drugs, and other health costs. 250
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