Federal Disability Benefits

The federal government provides disability benefits for tens of millions of Americans. The distribution of these funds is administered through the Social Security Administration (SSA). While most people think Social Security is only for those who have retired, the Social Security system also offers regular monthly income for children and adults with disabilities. The SSA offers a few different programs to satisfy a variety of situations.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• SSI is a monthly payment for individuals who have no other source of income. SSI is based on financial need only. If a person with a disability cannot work or cannot find employment, the SSA offers SSI. To become eligible for SSI, a person must have an interview at an SSA office. The individual has to supply financial records as proof of income and savings. Also required are medical records as proof of a physical and /or mental disability. The SSA reads and investigates the claim for disability. If the individual is approved for SSI, he receives an award letter stating the amount of money he will receive on a monthly basis. The approval process can take up to one year.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

• SSDI is a federal disability program for people with work history. According to the Social Security Administration website, SSDI "pays benefits to you and certain family members if you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes." If a person becomes disabled after working for a number of years, she is eligible for SSDI to supplement her income. For SSDI, a person must fill out forms that verify disability and income. After the SSA approves the application, the individual receives monthly benefits. In some cases, an adult child of a person receiving SSDI may also receive benefits on his parent's claim. This benefit is only available to adult children who were disabled before age 22. The amount of the SSDI varies with each individual. The monthly amount is based on how much Social Security tax a person paid when he worked.

Ticket to Work

• The SSA wants to encourage people receiving disability benefits to return to the workforce if they so desire. The SSA does this with the Ticket to Work program. This program allows a person to work toward getting a job while still receiving SSI or SSDI. A person applies for the Ticket to Work program in order "to obtain employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services necessary to achieve a vocational (work) goal." The person creates a written plan of desired employment and how she plans on achieving this goal. During training or part-time work, a person is able to keep all or a portion of his disability benefits. The person can also save money to use for rejoining the workforce. Every Ticket to Work plan is unique to an individual.