Exploring Benefits from the Social Security Administration for People with Disabilities
By S. Paul Prior, Esq. and Herbert D. Hinkle, Esq.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is available to people whose
disabilities prevent gainful employment. In order to be eligible, an individual must
not have greater than $2,000 in countable resources and earn less than approximately
$650 in monthly income. Because the income and resources of parents are counted until
the child turns 18, many people with disabilities will not qualify for SSI until they
have reached the age of 18. After age 18, the income and resources of family members
are not counted even if the individual continues to live at home. The SSI benefits
usually ranges between $450 and $650 per month. The monthly amount depends on a number
of factors, including where the person lives and what other income he or she may have.
Individuals who qualify for SSI automatically receive Medicaid. Medicaid
pays for a wide array of services for people with disabilities and provides government-funded
health insurance for children and adults with disabilities who have limited financial
resources. Medicaid also provides government funding for long-term services and supports,
including institutional care in nursing facilities and, in some cases, in non-specialized
placements for people with disabilities. Currently, there are no deductibles or co-payments
required under Medicaid.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays benefits to covered
workers who are unable to work because of a disability. After two years, the worker qualifies
for Medicare. SSDI is typically given to workers who sustain injuries; however, sometimes,
people with lifelong disabilities or mental illness qualify because of work history and
experience a subsequent problem with continued employment.
Social Security benefits are available to disabled dependents of a parent
who collects Social Security benefits or who dies. Individuals who receive Social Security
also receive Medicare. Social Security benefits count as income for SSI purposes and, in
some cases, can reduce or eliminate SSI benefits.
Medicare is provided to people 65 and over, to SSDI recipients, and
permanently disabled Social Security recipients. Medicare is divided into two parts:
Part A covers hospital and limited nursing care; Part B covers physician services, as
well as a variety of therapies and other items. Part B requires an extra premium. Medicare
also has co-payments and deductibles. There are no income or resources tests for Medicare.
Hinkle,
Fingles, & Prior maintains a multi-state law practice
with offices in Lawrenceville, Marlton, and Florham
Park, New Jersey, and Plymouth Meeting and Bala Cynwyd,
Pennsylvania. They lecture and write frequently on
topics of law, aging, disability and estate planning
and are available
to speak to groups in New Jersey
and Pennsylvania at no charge.
Comments
and suggestions for future articles should be mailed
to: Hinkle, Fingles & Prior, Attorneys at Law,
2651 Main Street, Suite A, Lawrenceville, New Jersey
08648-1012.
Copyright
2009 Hinkle, Fingles & Prior, Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved.
