Medicare and Disability Eligibility

Disability programs provide income for those who are unable to work due to a medical condition or other disability. There are several types of disability insurance, including Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income and state disability programs. Medicare provides health insurance for some disabled people. All of these programs have specific criteria recipients must meet.

Social Security Disability Insurance

• People are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if they are unable to work for at least one year due to a medical condition or disability and if they've worked a certain number of years in the past.

Supplemental Security Insurance

• If someone does not qualify for SSDI because he hasn't worked enough years in the past but is unable to work for at least one year due to a disability, he may be eligible for Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI). Certain income guidelines also apply.

Medicare

• Medicare provides health insurance for people over the age of 65 and for people who qualify for SSDI. In most cases, a person must be considered disabled for two years before he is eligible for Medicare.

State Disability Programs

• Five states provide disability programs to residents who qualify--California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. Eligibility requirements vary from state to state.

Finding Out If You're Eligible

• To find out if you are eligible for SSDI or SSI and to begin an application, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. They can also tell you if you are eligible for Medicare. You can also apply online at the website http://www.ssa.gov/. To find out if you are eligible for disability from the state, contact the appropriate department in the state in which you live.