On a previous page, I mentioned that Social Security disability insurance is available for those who have suffered serious injuries. Here, I want to discuss Social Security benefits to a greater extent. If your loved one has suffered from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or a spinal cord injury, there are two benefit programs that might be available to them through Social Security. These programs include Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security disability insurance. You can learn more about these programs here.
SSI
Supplemental Security Income is supplemental income offered by Social Security. The program, along with eligibility requirements for it vary from state to state. With SSI, a monthly benefit is paid by the Federal government for SSI checks. Some states have an additional amount to this monthly benefit. Other states do not. You should check the specifics for your individual state to learn more.
In addition, keep in mind that people who are eligible for SSI can also qualify for Medicaid in some states. Medicaid will pay medical bills for people who don’t have Medicare or private insurance.
Oftentimes, a person qualifies for SSI based on their disability and financial need. People over age 65 may also qualify for SSI’s monthly benefit check if they have low income. A standard is set by Social Security and if a person’s income falls under it, they could qualify.
Social Security Disability Insurance
Social Security disability insurance is another option that your injured loved one might have. Social Security disability insurance is given based on how long a person has been in the workforce. How long your loved one has been paying Social Security taxes and how much money they have put into this fund will determine how much, if any, disability money they will get.
If your loved one has paid enough money to qualify, the could utilize Social Security Disability Insurance. If not, they might still qualify for some benefits given their individual situation. For example, if their income is low, they could get some benefits.
If your loved one qualifies for Social Security disability insurance, but they are under age 65, they won’t automatically qualify for Medicare. They might take advantage of disability insurance for two years, at which point they can receive Medicare benefits.
Qualifying for Social Security disability insurance means that your loved one’s spouse and children can also qualify. They could get a monthly check that is a percentage of the benefit that your loved one receives each month. Divorced spouses could also be eligible in some cases.
Getting Help
Determining what assistance your loved one qualifies for can be a complex process. If you need help getting financial assistance for your loved one, contact my office. I can review their situation and help you determine your options, whether that is compensation from the at-fault party, assistance from Social Security, or financial support from some other source.
