Yes, there are several different types of disability benefits available depending on your situation. The main disability programs in the United States are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). There are also disability benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans as well as private disability insurance policies.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI is a federal disability insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provides benefits to disabled or blind individuals who are “insured” by workers’ contributions to the Social Security trust fund. To qualify for SSDI, you must:
- Have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings (usually by working about 5 of the last 10 years).
- Have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s definition of disability.
If you meet the work history and disability requirements, you may qualify for SSDI benefits. The monthly SSDI benefit amount depends on your lifetime average earnings in employment covered by Social Security. The average SSDI benefit amount for 2022 is $1,358 per month.
SSDI Benefits
Once approved for SSDI, you would receive the following benefits:
- Monthly disability payments – You’ll receive a monthly cash benefit based on your Social Security earnings history.
- Medicare coverage – You’ll receive Medicare health insurance starting 24 months after your disability began.
- Family benefits – Eligible family members may qualify for payments of up to 50% of your disability benefit amount.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes. It is designed to help elderly, blind, and disabled individuals who have little or no income. To qualify for SSI, you must:
- Have limited income and assets
- Meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability or blindness
SSI has strict financial eligibility requirements. You can’t have more than $2,000 in assets as an individual or $3,000 as a married couple. Not all states provide SSI benefits, however.
SSI Benefits
If eligible, you would receive the following benefits through SSI:
- Monthly cash payments – SSI payments are based on financial need and not work history. The average monthly payment in 2022 is $621 per month for an individual.
- Medicaid coverage – In most states, those who get SSI are also eligible for Medicaid health coverage.
| Program | SSDI | SSI |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Must have worked and paid Social Security taxes | Must have limited income and assets |
| Average monthly benefit | $1,358/month | $621/month |
| Health coverage | Medicare after 24 months | Medicaid |
Veterans Disability Benefits
The VA offers disability compensation to veterans who developed disabilities from injury or disease that occurred while on active duty. The amount of benefit depends on your combined disability rating, which takes into account all your service-connected conditions. For 2022, the basic levels of disability compensation range from $146 to $3,332 per month.
Eligibility
To receive VA disability pay, you must:
- Have a service-related disability rated at least 10% disabling
- Have an honorable or general discharge
In addition to monthly payments, VA disability benefits include health care, vocational rehabilitation services, aid attending school, and other benefits. Disability pay may also be available for certain family members.
Rating Disabilities
The VA uses disability ratings from 0% to 100% (in increments of 10%) to indicate how much your condition impacts your earning capacity. A 0% rating means the disability doesn’t impact your ability to work. A 100% rating signifies total disability and inability to maintain gainful employment.
| Disability Rating | Monthly Compensation |
|---|---|
| 10% | $146 |
| 30% | $441 |
| 50% | $907 |
| 70% | $1,536 |
| 100% | $3,332 |
Private Disability Insurance
Private disability insurance replaces a portion of your income if you become unable to work due to illness or injury. Policies are offered through employers or purchased individually. There are two main types of private disability coverage:
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Short-term disability (STD) insurance covers temporary disabilities lasting up to 6 months. Benefits usually replace 50-70% of your pre-disability income. The average monthly STD benefit is $1,700 per month.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance helps replace income for disabilities lasting longer than 6 months. Benefits continue until retirement age or return to work. The average LTD benefit is $2,500 per month.
| Program | Short-Term Disability | Long-Term Disability |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Up to 6 months | Over 6 months |
| Income replaced | 50-70% | 60% |
| Average benefit | $1,700/month | $2,500/month |
Conclusion
There are several major disability programs in the U.S. that provide financial and health coverage for those unable to work full-time due to disability. The main options are SSDI and SSI from Social Security, VA disability benefits for veterans, and private disability insurance. Each program has specific eligibility criteria in terms of work history, assets, medical disability, and service history. Understanding the different disability benefit programs can help you determine which options may be available if you or a family member becomes disabled.