There are two main types of disability benefits that SSA offers: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

• SSDI is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years. The amount of SSDI benefits you can receive depends on your work history and earnings. SSDI benefits also include Medicare coverage after a 24-month waiting period.

• SSI is for people who have limited income and resources, and who meet the SSA's definition of disability. The amount of SSI benefits you can receive depends on your income, resources, living arrangements, and other factors. SSI benefits also include Medicaid coverage in most states.

To qualify for either SSDI or SSI, you must meet the SSA's definition of disability, which means that:

• You have a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

• You are unable to perform any substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is a level of work and earnings that the SSA considers significant. In 2024, the SGA amount is $1,310 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,190 per month for blind individuals.

The SSA uses a five-step process to determine if you are disabled and eligible for benefits. The steps are:

1. Are you working? If you are working and earning more than the SGA amount, you are not considered disabled. If you are not working or earning less than the SGA amount, the SSA will move to the next step.

2. Is your condition severe? Your condition must interfere with your ability to do basic work-related activities, such as walking, sitting, lifting, or remembering. If your condition is not severe, you are not considered disabled. If your condition is severe, the SSA will move to the next step.

3. Is your condition on the list of disabling impairments? The SSA has a list of medical conditions that are considered so severe that they automatically qualify you as disabled. If your condition is on the list, you are considered disabled. If your condition is not on the list, the SSA will move to the next step.

4. Can you do the work you did before? The SSA will look at your past work and see if you can still do it despite your condition. If you can do the work you did before, you are not considered disabled. If you cannot do the work you did before, the SSA will move to the next step.

5. Can you do any other type of work? The SSA will consider your age, education, skills, and physical and mental abilities, and see if there is any other type of work that you can do. If you can do other work, you are not considered disabled. If you cannot do other work, you are considered disabled.

If you are found disabled and eligible for benefits, the SSA will calculate your benefit amount and start paying you after a waiting period. The waiting period is:

• Five months for SSDI benefits. This means that you will not receive SSDI benefits for the first five full months of your disability. The SSDI waiting period begins the first full month after the date the SSA decides your disability began.

• No waiting period for SSI benefits. This means that you will receive SSI benefits for the first full month after the date you filed your claim, or, if later, the date you became eligible for SSI.

You can apply for disability benefits online, by phone, or in person. To apply, you will need to provide information and documents about yourself, your disability, your work history, your income, and your resources. You can use the Disability Starter Kit to help you prepare for your application. The starter kit includes a checklist of the information and documents you will need, as well as a worksheet to help you answer some of the questions on the application.

You can apply online at https://www.ssa.gov/disability/disability.html, or call 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment to apply by phone or in person at your local Social Security office. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call the TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.

After you apply, the SSA will review your application and send it to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office in your state. The DDS is a state agency that makes the disability decision on behalf of the SSA. The DDS will contact you if they need more information or evidence, or if they need you to have a medical exam or test. The DDS will also contact your doctors and other sources to obtain your medical records and other information about your condition.

The DDS will use the five-step process described above to determine if you are disabled and eligible for benefits. The DDS will then send their decision to the SSA, and the SSA will send you a letter in the mail with the decision. The decision letter will tell you if you are approved or denied for benefits, and if approved, how much you will receive and when your payments will start. The decision letter will also tell you how to appeal if you disagree with the decision.

The time it takes to process your application and make a decision varies depending on the nature and severity of your disability, the availability and quality of your medical evidence, and the workload and resources of the DDS and the SSA. It may take several months or longer to receive a decision. You can check the status of your application online at ssa.gov using your personal my Social Security account, or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

If you are approved for disability benefits, you will receive monthly payments by direct deposit to your bank account, or by mail if you prefer. You will also receive Medicare or Medicaid coverage, depending on the type of benefits you receive. You will need to report any changes in your situation, such as your income, resources, living arrangements, medical condition, or work activity, to the SSA, as they may affect your eligibility or benefit amount. You will also need to undergo periodic reviews of your disability to make sure you still meet the SSA's definition of disability and continue to qualify for benefits.

If you are denied for disability benefits, you have the right to appeal the decision. You must file your appeal within 60 days of receiving the decision letter. There are four levels of appeal: reconsideration, hearing, Appeals Council review, and federal court review. You can request an appeal online at www.ssa.gov, or by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office. You can also get help from a lawyer or a representative who can assist you with your appeal. You can find a list of organizations that can help you with your appeal at https://www.ssa.gov/disability/disability.html .

For more information about disability benefits, you can visit the SSA's website at https://www.ssa.gov/disability/disability.html, or call 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office. You can also read the following publications that provide more details about the disability programs and the application process:

• Disability Benefits

• Benefits For Children With Disabilities

• Disability Evaluation Under Social Security

• What You Need To Know When You Get Disability Benefits

• Medicare