The Different Types of Social Security Disability Benefits

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Most people do not realize this but there are at least five types of Social Security disability benefits. The first and perhaps most important is Disability Insurance Benefits. This goes to individuals who have worked and paid into the system (generally five of the last 10 years) and are now disabled. The second type is Disabled Widow's and Widower's Benefits. Qualifications require the claimant to be at least 50 years old and to have become disabled within a certain amount of time after the death of their husband or wife. Also, the late wife or husband must have worked enough to be insured for Social Security.

The third type of disability benefits is for Disabled Adult Children. This benefit goes to the children of those who are decreased or who are disabled and drawing disability or retirement benefits. In order to qualify for Disabled Adult Children's benefits, the child must have become disabled before 22 years of age. For any of the above, benefits are paid on the wage earner's earning's record and based on how much they have paid into the system over the years. The fourth kind of disability benefits is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These benefits are only payable to claimant's who are both disabled and poor. A person can get SSI benefits even if they have never worked a day in their life. The fifth kind of disability benefits is SSI benefits for children. These are paid to children who are below age 18 who are disabled.