Disability Claims Administered by the Social Security Administration
SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
For individuals under age 65 who become disabled. Claimants must meet certain poverty requirements before their claim will be considered (i.e., no more than $2000 in assets for individuals,
$3000 for couples, excluding the home where they live and necessary cars, etc.). Benefits are adjusted for income. Individuals eligible for SSI also get Medicaid.
Children’s SSI
Families with disabled children that meet certain poverty requirements; if they do, a child may receive SSI if he or she is
disabled. The test for whether or not a child is disabled is different, and usually harder to meet, than for adults.
DIWC (Disabled Insured Worker’s Claim)
Disability program for adults who have worked enough to have “insured status” under the Social Security System. For disability, a worker must have worked above a minimum amount 5 out of the last 10 years (as measured in quarters of years).
A person does not have to file before their work credits run out, but he or she must be found disabled before the work credits run out. Individuals who are eligible for insured disability benefits get Medicare.
DIWW (Disabled Insured Widow’s/Widower’s Claim)
An individual must be 50 years old, be found disabled, and have been married to a person who was insured when that person died. The widow/widower must also become disabled within 7 years of their spouse’s death. There are special rules when the spouse draws benefits on behalf of children that extends
the 7 years, so it does not start until the children are grown. If a prior divorced spouse dies, the disabled person must have been married to the deceased spouse seven years. If the Widow/Widower is 60 or over, and meets the other requirements, then he or she does not have to be found disabled.
DAC (Disabled Adult Child)
A child of an insured worker can draw benefits if he or she is found disabled before age 22 (or found to have become disabled before age 22 if the or she applies later). The child’s parent must have died while insured or become disabled and
drawing insured status. A DAC who is drawing benefits will lose them if he or she gets married to someone other than another person drawing insured disability benefits.
SSDC (Supplemental Security Disability Claim)
This is not a separate type of claim, but it is the name of the type of claim for an individual worker who
is both insured and meets the poverty requirements for SSI.
If you have questions regarding these items reach out to our Disability Insurance Lawyers right away.
