Long-Term Disability Benefits from Social Security

Social Security does not offer permanent disability benefits. However, they do offer long-term disability benefits and someone can receive them throughout his lifetime if he continues to qualify. Each disability case gets reviewed periodically to ensure that the recipient still qualifies. Social Security does not offer any short-term disability benefits, but some individual states do.

Social Security Disability Insurance

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly benefits to some people that cannot work for at least 12 months due to a serious medical condition or other disability. People must have worked a certain amount of time in the past; how long depends on how old they are at the time they apply for disability. People can receive SSDI for an indefinite period of time as long as they continue to meet all eligibility criteria.

Supplement Security Income

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly benefits for some people that cannot work for at least 12 months due to a serious medical condition or other disability that do not qualify for SSDI. People must have limited income and resources in order to qualify for SSI. People can receive SSI for an indefinite period of time as long as they continue to meet all eligibility criteria.

The Application Process

To apply for disability benefits from Social Security, visit your local Social Security Administration office. You can also begin an application online (see Resources). The Social Security Administration will contact your health care providers, with your permission, for information about your condition and how it prevents you from working.

Medicare

People that qualify for Social Security disability benefits for two years then qualify for Medicare, as well. Medicare provides health insurance for qualified recipients and covers things like hospitalization, outpatient medical treatment, laboratory tests, mental health care and prescription medications. People that return to the workforce in less than two years do not receive Medicare benefits.

The Review Process

The Social Security Administration reviews all disability recipients periodically to make sure they still qualify for benefits. How often they review cases depends on the nature of a person's condition and the likelihood that his condition will improve. Typically they review cases every one to seven years. People can continue to receive benefits for as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

Sources:

Social Security Administration. http://www.ssa.gov/d&s1.htm. Disability and SSI.

Social Security Administration. http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10043.html. Medicare.

Social Security Administration. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10153.html#6. Reviewing Your Medical Condition.