During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt created the Social Security Act and the Social Security Administration. The Act provided a guaranteed income to workers when the turned 65. Eventually, the Social Security program was amended to provide benefits to disabled workers, their dependents and families of deceased workers.

Social security benefits are paid to injured or sick workers. These benefits are offered to the employee based on their contribution made through their wage deductions while employed. Unlike workers’ compensation, the worker does not have to become injured or sick on the job to receive benefits.

Individuals who can benefit from social security disability include:

• Disabled Workers: The disabled worker is the primary beneficiary under social security disability.


• The Husband or Wife of the Disabled Worker: A disabled worker’s spouse can also receive social security disability insurance if he or she is past the age of 62; cares for a disabled child; or care for a child under the age of 16.


• Disabled Children: Unmarried children over the age of 18 can recover social security benefits as long as their disability occurred before the age of 22 and their disability meets the Social Security Administration’s definition of a disability.


• Children: An unmarried child under the age of 18 (or 19 if attending a secondary school full-time) can also receive social security benefits.

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs provide assistance to those with disabilities. Social Security Disability Insurance pays you benefits if you have worked for a specified period of time and paid social security taxes. The Supplemental Security Income pays you benefits based on financial need. When you apply for social security benefits, medical and other information will be collected to make a decision on whether you meet the definition of disability. If you need help with your social security form or your benefits have been denied, fill out our free case review form on the right to speak with a social security attorney.