Benefits
Associates
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a payroll tax-funded, federal insurance program. A portion of the FICA taxes you pay are set aside for SSDI (as well as Social Security Retirement and Medicare). SSDI was established to provide you with income if you are unable to work due to a disability or until your condition improves, and guarantees income if your condition does not improve. Once you meet your retirement age 65 or older, you move from SSDI to Social Security retirement income.
The Social Security Administrations (SSA) uses its own guidelines to determine whether or not you are disabled. It does not use the same guidelines as other employers or private insurance programs. The SSA pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability.
SSI
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes):
It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income; and It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. To be eligible, you can have no more than $2,000 available in any form for individuals ($3,000 if you are married). Any valuable item that can be sold for cash is considered. Some states have stricter rules, check with your local SSA office.
MEDICAID
Ensuring that the poor receive quality health care has long been a priority in the United States. Medicaid is one program designed by the federal government to meet this need. Medicaid provides medical care to the poor, to children and to pregnant women living under the federal poverty level. It is funded jointly by the states and the federal government.
Medicaid was established in 1965, at the same time as Medicare, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. It was designed to assist low-income families in providing health care for themselves and their children. It also covers certain individuals who fall below the federal poverty level. It covers hospital and doctor's visits, prenatal care, emergency room visits, drugs and other treatments.
You become eligible for Medicare 2 years and 5 months after your date of onset (date you were found disabled not the day you received a favorable decision from the Social Security Administration.)
Resources don't matter for eligibility or amount of payment; however, workers compensation and other government benefits may affect payment amount.