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R E S O U R C E S
Section 2
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS
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Social Security
Social Security: a simple concept. The current Social Security system works like this: when you work, you pay taxes into Social Security. The tax money is used to pay benefits to: people who have already retired; people with disabilities; survivors of workers who have died; and dependents of beneficiaries. The money you pay in taxes is not held in a personal account for you to use when you get benefits. Your taxes are being used right now to pay people who now are getting benefits. Any unused money goes to the Social Security trust funds, not a personal account with your name on it.
Social Security Disability (SSDI)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to people with disabilities or who have blindness who are "insured" by workers` contributions to the Social Security trust fund. These contributions are the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) social security tax paid on their earnings or those of their spouses or parents.
The individual must continue to have a disability and meet all other nondisability requirements (e.g., residency, income and resources.) Disability status is retained until the individual medically improves or eligibility is terminated for a nondisability reason.
If you cannot work because of a physical or mental condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Our disability rules are different from those of other private plans or government agencies. The fact that you qualify for disability from another agency or program does not mean you will be eligible for disability benefits from us. And having a statement from your doctor indicating you have a disability does not mean you will automatically be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
People with disabilities, including children, who have little income and few resources, also may be eligible for disability payments through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. For more information about SSI, contact us to ask for a copy of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Publication No. 05-11000). If you aquire a disability, you should file for disability benefits as soon as possible, because it usually takes several months to process a disability claim. We may be able to process your claim more quickly if you have the following when you apply.
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Disability Starter Kit
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. The starter kits provide information about the specific documents and the information that we will request from you. They will ask for more details during your interview or when you complete the online Disability Report. The kits also provide general information about the disability programs and our decision-making process that can help take some of the mystery out of applying for disability benefits.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
The Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) makes cash assistance payments to the elderly, people with disabilities and blindness (including children under age 18) who have limited income and resources. The Federal government funds SSI from general tax revenues.
If you get Social Security benefits, but have limited income and resources (things you own), SSI may be able to help. SSI is financed from general revenues, not Social Security taxes.
SSI makes monthly payments to people who are age 65 or older or who are blind or have a disability. We do not count some of your income and some of your resources when we decide whether you are eligible for SSI. Your house and your car, for example, usually are not counted as resources.
If You Are Helping Someone Apply for Benefits
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Medicare
Medicare is our country's basic health insurance program for people age 65 or older and many people with disabilities. You should not confuse Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid is a health care program for people with low income and limited resources. It is usually run by state welfare or social services agencies. Some people qualify for one or the other, while some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare has two parts: Part A and Part B
Hospital insurance (Part A): helps pay for inpatient hospital care and certain follow-up services.
Who is eligible for hospital insurance (Part A)?
Most people get hospital insurance when they turn 65. You qualify for it automatically if you are eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits. Or you may qualify based on a spouse's (including divorced spouse's) work. Others qualify because they are government employees not covered by Social Security who paid the Medicare tax. If you get Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, you will qualify for hospital insurance. Also, people who have permanent kidney failure that requires maintenance dialysis or a kidney replacement or who have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) qualify for hospital insurance if they have worked long enough or if they are the spouse or child of a worker who qualifies.
Medical insurance (Part B): helps pay for doctors' services, outpatient hospital care and other medical services.
Who can get medical insurance (Part B)?
Almost anyone who is eligible for hospital insurance can sign up for medical insurance. Part B is an optional program. It is not free. In 2005, the monthly premium is $78.20 per month. Most people sign up for this part of Medicare.
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Help with Medicare expenses for people with low income
If you have a low income and few resources, your state may pay your Medicare premiums and, in some cases, other "out-of-pocket" medical expenses, such as deductibles and coinsurance. Only your state can decide whether you qualify for help under this program. If you think you qualify, contact your state or local medical assistance (Medicaid) agency, social services or welfare office. You can get more information about this program from the publication, Medicare Savings Programs. To get a copy, call the Medicare toll-free number, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or visit www.medicare.gov on the Internet and click on "Publications."
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Social Security