Social Security administers two programs for people who have become disabled and need monthly benefit payments to make up for their inability to work and earn a living.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSDI is a program designed for people who have worked and paid taxes into the Social Security system for years prior to becoming disabled. If an individual is judged disabled, the individual will receive SSDI benefits regardless of the individual's assets or family income.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI, unlike SSDI, is a "needs-based" program. SSI is designed to pay benefits to disabled people who need help with basic living costs, even if they haven't worked or paid taxes into the Social Security system. To qualify for SSI payments, a claimant cannot have family assets or income over a certain limit.
Medicare Eligibility for Social Security Disability Beneficiaries Individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are generally eligible for Medicare. Here's how it works:
Additional Information
Medicare Benefits for SSDI Beneficiaries SSDI beneficiaries receive the same Medicare benefits as other eligible individuals, including:
Having a disability affects your Medicare options in two ways:
1. You can be enrolled automatically (earlier than age 65) if approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits based on certain disabilities. What disabilities qualify for Medicare under 65? They include Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) and End-stage renal disease (ESRD).
2. After drawing SSDI for 24 months (two years), you are automatically enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B (also known as “original Medicare”) starting at the 25th month and will receive a Medicare card in the mail. In some cases, you can receive Medicare in less than two years if Social Security determines that your disability started before the disability application date.
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