Basic Program Information
Program Description
The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two programs
that provide benefits based on disability: the Social Security
disability insurance program (Title II of the Social Security
Act (the Act) and the supplemental security income (SSI) program
(Title XVI of the Act).
Title II provides for payment of disability
benefits to individuals who are "insured" under the Act by virtue
of their contributions to the Social Security trust fund through
the Social Security tax on their earnings, as well as to certain
disabled dependents of insured individuals. Title XVI Provides
for SSI payments to individuals (including children under age
18) who are disabled and have limited income and resources.
The Act and SSA's implementing regulations prescribe rules for
deciding if an individual is "disabled." SSA's criteria for deciding
if someone is disabled are not necessarily the same as the criteria
applied in other Government and private disability programs.
Definition of Disability
For all individuals applying for disability benefits under title
II, and for adults applying under title XVI, the definition of
disability is the same. The law defines disability as the inability
to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any
medically determinable physical or mental impairments(s) which
can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can
be expected to last for a continuous period of not less that 12
months.
Disability in Children
Under title XVI, a child under age 18
will be considered disabled if he or she has a medically determinable
physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that
causes marked and severe functional limitations, and that can
be expected to cause death or that has lasted or can be expected
to last for a continuous period of not less that 12 months.
What is a "Medically Determinable
Impairment"
A medically determinable physical or mental
impairment is an impairment that results from anatomical, physiological,
or psychological abnormalities which can be shown by medically
acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques. A physical
or mental impairment must be established by medical evidence consisting
of signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings-not only by the individual's
statement of symptoms.
The Disability Determination Process
Most disability claims are initially processed
through a network of local determination services, or DDS. Subsequent
appeals of unfavorable determinations may be decided in the DDS
or by administrative law judges in SSA's Office of Hearings and
Appeals.
Social Security Field Offices
SSA representatives in the field offices
usually obtain applications for disability benefits, either in
person, by telephone, or by mail. The application and related
forms ask for a description of the claimant's impairment(s), names,
addresses, and telephone numbers of treatment sources, and other
information that relates to the alleged disability. (The "claimant"
is the person who is requesting disability benefits.)
The field office is responsible for verifying nonmedical eligibility
requirement, which may include age, employment, marital status,
or Social Security coverage information. The field office send
the case to a DDS for evaluation of disability.
Application
You must file for disability benefits at your local federal Social Security
Office. You may either call toll free at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your
local office listed below.
|