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Disability, Medicare & Medicaid

Medicare, Medicaid and disability programs are among the most common and well known programs run by the federal and state governments. These programs are designed to give benefits to those with low income, elderly citizens and those with disabilities who meet the requirements for eligibility. The Social Security Administration runs these programs, and every state is responsible for implementing them and providing benefits to those who are eligible.

  1. Medicaid

    • Medicaid is a public health insurance program for those who have low income. This program is administered by the Social Security office, but it is jointly funded by the federal government and each state's government. Any person who meets the requirements, including children and disabled and aged people, can be eligible to receive Medicaid benefits. To determine Medicaid eligibility, the Social Security office looks at your income and your resources. U.S. Citizenship is also a requirement for Medicaid eligibility. However, more specific eligibility requirements vary from state to state.

    Medicare

    • Medicare is also a public health insurance program. However, Medicare is health insurance only for disabled individuals or people older than 65 years of age. Unlike Medicaid, which pays for medical care without requiring monthly payments, the only premium-free coverage of Medicare is Part A, which is hospital insurance. To receive free Part A coverage, you must have paid Medicare tax. Otherwise, Part A also requires payments of monthly premiums. Enrollment in Medicare Part B (medical insurance), Part C (Advantage Plans) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) requires monthly premiums.

    Social Security Disability

    • The Social Security Administration has two programs for disabled individuals: the Social Security Disability (SSD) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The SSD program gives benefits for those with a full-term disability who are incapable of working due to their condition. The SSD program pays monthly benefits to help the eligible pay for their needs and as a way of substituting the income they would earn if they were working. To receive SSD benefits, you also must have worked and paid Social Security tax for a long enough period (the exact length varies according to your age.)

    Supplemental Security Income

    • The SSI program is also a disability program. However, unlike the SSD program, the SSI is not funded by Social Security tax. To qualify to receive SSI benefits you must be older than 65 years of age, have a disability or blindness condition and have low income. If you qualify, the Social Security office pays you monthly benefits to help supplement your income. (You are allowed to work with SSI benefits.) As of 2011, the benefit amount for a single person is $674 and $1,011 for a married person.

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