Part 1: Introduction to Disability and Social Security

Disability is something most people don't like to think about. But the chances of your becoming disabled are probably greater than you realize. In fact, studies show that one out of four young workers will become disabled some time during his or her lifetime.

It's a fact that, while most people spend time working to succeed in their jobs and careers, few think about ensuring that they have a safety net to fall back on should the unthinkable happen. This is where Social Security comes in. We pay cash benefits to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability. Benefits continue until a person is able to work again on a regular basis, and a number of work incentives are available to ease the transition back to work.

What We Mean by Disability

It's important that you understand how Social Security defines disability. That's because different programs have different bases for determining disability. Some programs may pay for partial disability or for short-term disability. Social Security does not.

Disability under Social Security is based on your inability to work. You will be considered disabled if you are unable to do any kind of work for which you are suited and your disability is expected to last for at least a year or to result in death.

Some consider this a strict definition of disability and it is. The program assumes that working families have access to other resources to provide support during periods of short-term disabilities, including workers compensation, insurance, savings, and investments. It is designed to provide a continuing income to you and your family when you are unable to do so. Benefits continue as long as you remain disabled.

Who Can Get Social Security Disability Benefits?

You can receive Social Security disability benefits at any age. If you are receiving disability benefits at age 65, they become retirement benefits, although the amount remains the same.

Certain members of your family may also qualify for benefits on your record. They include:

• Your unmarried son or daughter, including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild or grandchild. The child must be under 18 or under 19 if in high school full time.
• Your unmarried son or daughter, 18 or older, if he or she has a disability that started before 22. (If a disabled child under 18 is receiving benefits as a dependent of a retired, deceased, or disabled worker, someone should contact Social Security to have his or her checks continued at 18 on the basis of disability).
• Your spouse who is 62 or older, or any age if he or she is caring for a child of yours who is under 16 or disabled and also receiving checks.

Certain family members may qualify for disability benefits if you should die. They include:

• Your disabled widow or widower 50 or older. The disability must have started before your death or within seven years after your death. (If your widow or widower caring for your children receives Social Security checks, she or he is eligible if she or he becomes disabled before those payments end or within seven years after they end).

Disability Benefits for People with HIV Infection

People with HIV infection or AIDS may also qualify for disability benefits when they are no longer able to work. Some people with HIV infection that has not progressed to AIDS may be just as severely disabled as a person with AIDS and, therefore, just as likely to qualify for disability. For more information, ask for the booklet A Guide to Social Security And SSI Disability Benefits For People With HIV Infection (Publication No. 05-10020).

Disability Benefits for Children

In recent years, there has been a growing concern about whether parents are aware of the disability benefits that are available for their disabled children. More than 900,000 children under 18 who have disabilities currently receive such benefits; many suffer some form of mental retardation, others from various childhood conditions.

SSI disability benefits are payable to people of any age with a disability, including children. For more information, ask for the booklets Social Security (SSI) (Publication No. 05-11000) and Benefits For Children With Disabilities (Publication No. 05-10026).

Social Security dependents benefits are payable to children under 18 if a parent is receiving retirement or disability benefits or is deceased. These benefits may also be paid to children 18 or older who were disabled before age 22. Benefits will continue into their adult years as long as they remain disabled.

How Much Work You Need

To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security. You earn up to a maximum of four credits per year. The amount of earnings required for a credit increases each year as general wage levels rise. Family members who qualify for benefits on your work record do not need work credits.

The number of work credits needed for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally you need 20 credits earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled. However, younger workers may also qualify with fewer credits: The rules are as follows:

• Before age 24 -- You may qualify if you have six credits earned in the three-year period ending when your disability starts.
• Age 24 to 31 -- You may qualify if you have credit for having worked half the time between 21 and the time you become disabled. For example, if you become disabled at age 27 you would need credit for three years of work (12 credits) out of the past six years (between age 21 and age 27).
• Age 31 or older -- In general, you will need to have the number of work credits shown in the chart. Unless you are blind, at least 20 of the credits must have been earned in the 10 years immediately before you became disabled.

Table 1
Born After 1929, Become Disabled At Age:	Credits You Need:
31 through 42	20
44	22
46	24
48	26
50	28
52	30
54	32
56	34
58	36
60	38
62 or older	40

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Social Security Administration
SSA Publication No. 05-10029
May, 1996
ICN 456000