Social Security is a program meant to protect those who can’t support themselves due to disability or age. The most well-known Social Security benefits, including retirement benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, require that a person made payroll contributions to Social Security.
Your payroll withholdings accrue over time and eventually qualify you for benefits when you retire. However, not everyone reaches a point where they qualify for SSDI because they have not contributed enough. Some people may not have earned a paycheck because they were a stay-at-home spouse or have had lifelong medical issues. Others may still be too young to work.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) also provides benefits that can help those who have not made adequate payroll contributions to collect SSDI.
Supplemental Security Income covers more people than SSDI
If you were denied for SSDI or haven’t bothered applying, you should know that you have other options. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program run by the SSA for which those who have not earned enough for SSDI benefits may be able to qualify.
You can seek SSI benefits of someone who has only worked part-time or as the parents providing care for a child with significant special needs. There are certain financial requirements that you must meet to receive the benefits, with limits on assets as well as income. The exact benefit that you receive will vary depending on your circumstances.
If you need financial help because of a medical condition that affects you or a child in your care, SSI benefits could be the exact support that you need. Don’t let the complexity of applying or a previous denial keep you from the benefits you qualify to receive. An experienced SSI attorney can help you.