Social Security Disability Grant Requirements
- The requirements of federal Social Security disability law are different than other public or private programs that provide disability benefits. If you are suffering from a debilitating condition and are curious about applying for Social Security disability, you should know that the Social Security Administration has two programs that you may qualify for--Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income---and you should become familiar with the requirements for each before you apply.
- Although each program has important differences, they both require that you meet the Social Security Administration's definition of disability. The fact that your doctor says you are disabled or that you receive disability benefits from another source, such as work-related insurance, is not sufficient for meeting the Social Security Administration's requirements, which state that you must demonstrate an inability to perform any "substantial work because of your medical condition," and that your "medical condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year, or be expected to result in your death." This is a strict requirement.
- You qualify for SSDI benefits if you have worked for a sufficient amount of time and had deductions from your paycheck according to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, more commonly called the "FICA tax." If you worked for at least 10 years and for the last five years prior to your disability, you will meet the work requirement of SSDI. You can apply for SSDI online at the Social Security Administration's website.
- You qualify for SSI benefits if you are totally disabled and have no financial resources and a small income---in other words "poor." The amount of SSI grant you qualify for will depend on whether you share any living expenses, such as rent. Unlike SSDI, you cannot apply for SSI online, but must do so in person at your local district office, or call (800) 772-1213.
- In order to complete the application process for a disability grant, you will be interviewed by a Social Security Administration representative either in person at the local district office or over the phone. The appointment for the interview will be set for you and will take about an hour. Prior to the interview, a checklist will be provided for you indicating the type of information that you should bring with you to the interview, such as personal identification (birth certificate, military service record) and documentation of your medical treatment and last employment. The SSA recommends that you keep the interview appointment even if you have not gathered all the information and documents.