Social security has two types of disability programs for people who become unable to work due to medical problems:
1. Disability Insurance Benefits
This program is for people who have worked long enough and paid enough into the Social Security System through deductions from their paychecks while they were working, or through self-employment taxes while they were working. This program does not take into account property that you own or resources you may have. You must be found disabled under Social Security rules to get the benefits. “Disability” does not only mean having a medical problem, it means having medical problems that are long term (at least one year) and so severe they prevent you from doing “substantially gainful activity”. The monthly amount you get will depend on how much you paid in.
2. Supplemental Security Income
This program for people of limited or no resources or property. You can get these benefits if you are sixty-five years or older or if you become unable to do “substantial gainful activity” when you are less than retirement age, or blind. The full SSI amount for being aged, blind, or disabled is set per month ($721.00 per month for 2014). The full amount will be reduced if you have any other income.