OTDA Home Programs & Services SSI/Social Security Disability Benefits
Overview
There are two Federal disability programs:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a Federal disability income program for adults who have worked and now find themselves unable to work due to a disability.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is Federal program for adults and children who meet the definition of disabled and have limited income and resources. 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.
Benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are "insured," meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.
- The amount of your monthly benefit is based on your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security.
- Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are paid starting six months from the onset date of the disability, but no more than 12 months prior to application.
- A claimant receives monthly benefits deposited directly into their bank account or on a SSA Direct Express Card.
Supplemental Security Income pays benefits based on financial need.
- The amount of your monthly benefit is based on your income and resources.
- SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits may be paid from the month of application.
- A claimant receives monthly benefits deposited directly into their bank account or on a SSA Direct Express Card.
Eligibility
Anyone who believes they meet Federal Disability requirements is eligible to apply. Your family members may also receive benefits if you can no longer work due to a medical condition.
You are considered disabled under Social Security rules if:
- You cannot work due to a medical condition;
- You cannot do work that you did before;
- We decide that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s); and
- Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.
People who have worked long enough may also be able to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits as well as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Contact
Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) by phone:
1-800-772-1213
Monday-Friday 7:00AM-7:00PM
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call SSA at TTY 1-800-325-0778.
Contact OTDA's Division of Disability Determinations by email:
Contact OTDA's Division of Disability Determinations by mail:
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Division of
Disability Determinations
P.O. Box 165
Albany, NY 12260-0165
MRC DDS
The Details of Apply for SSDI or SSI benefits
the Contents of the Apply for SSDI or SSI benefits page
You will get a faster decision when you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
with the Social Security Administration (SSA) if you provide: If you are applying for a child, you also need school
records regarding your child's disability. IMPORTANT NOTE: Don't wait to file your claim for disability payments even if you don't have all this information. If you think you may be eligible for payments, call (800) 772-1213 to file a claim or contact your local Social Security Office . You must contact the Social Security Administration to apply for benefits. If you are looking for an
online application for either SSDI or SSI visit ssa.gov. For an update on case status call the Vocational Disability Examiner (VDE) as identified in your introductory claimant letter If you think you
may be eligible for payments, you can apply for disability benefits online with the Social Security Administration. If you think you may be eligible for payments, call the
Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 to file a claim or contact your local Social Security office. Once you apply for disability benefits with the SSA, the Disability Determination Services
(DDS), a division of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, will review your case. DDS will review medical information and vocational information, if necessary, that includes: When all required medical and vocational information is received, the disability examiner and staff physician and/or
psychologist carefully evaluate each claim, using a sequential evaluation process. The following people or agencies can help supply the information that is needed to process a claim for disability benefits.What you need for Apply for SSDI or SSI benefits
How to apply Apply for SSDI or SSI benefits
Next steps for Apply for SSDI or SSI benefits
Sources of information
Contact for Apply for SSDI or SSI benefits
- Eligibility for SSI and SSDI
- How applications for disability benefits are processed
- MRC Disability Determination Services (DDS)
- Special initiatives at DDS