Types of Social Security Disability Benefits

Most people focus on their jobs and don't consider how they'll make ends meet if a disability leaves them unable to work. The chances of being disabled are higher than you might think. More than one out of four of today's 20-year-olds will become disabled before retirement, according to the Council on Disability Awareness.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are awarded to individuals who become disabled and are no longer capable of working. To qualify for these benefits, which are funded by Social Security taxes, you must have a qualifying physical or mental impairment. This disability must be expected to last at least one continuous year.

Many legitimate candidates are initially denied SSDI benefits. At J. Clay Benson, Attorney at Law, our caring and thorough attorneys will help you through the appeals process to ensure you get the disability benefits you deserve. He advocates for his clients in Montgomery, Alabama, and across the U.S. on a daily basis to make sure their rights are protected and fights for the benefits they deserve. Call J. Clay Benson, Attorney at Law, (334) 356-1925, or toll free at (855)-94J-CLAY or use our online contact form for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.

Understanding the Types of Social Security Disability Benefits
  • Disability Insurance Benefits: The most common Social Security benefits, disability insurance benefits are issued to those who have worked at least five out the last 10 years, and who are now disabled. If your claim is denied, you have about two months to appeal and ask for a hearing to present your claim to an administrative law judge.
  • Disabled Adult Child Benefits: If you are age 18 or older and have become disabled before age 22, you may be able to collect disabled adult child benefits if your parents are entitled to retirement or disability benefits. In cases of deceased parents, the guardian must have worked long enough under Social Security for you to be eligible to collect survivor benefits. These benefits are called disabled adult "child" benefits because they are paid on your parent's Social Security earnings record.
  • Disabled Widow's/Widower's Benefits: If you are age 50 or older and become disabled within seven years of your husband or wife's death, you may be able to collect disability benefits. Your late spouse must have worked the specified amount time in order for you to be eligible to collect benefits.
  • Child SSDI Benefits: Benefits may also be paid to the child of a disabled adult if that child is under the age of 18, or between 18 and 19 years old and is a full-time high school student. These benefits are also paid on the parent's Social Security record.
  • Supplemental Security Income Benefits: The Supplemental Security Income program makes cash payments to disabled individuals who have limited incomes and qualify. According to the Social Security Administration, approximately 8,039 disabled individuals in Alabama received Supplement Security Income benefits. Alabama residents who qualify for an SSI check automatically qualify for Medicaid as well.
  • Veterans Benefits: Veterans may receive tax-free disability compensation for injuries or diseases acquired while on active duty. You also may be eligible for disability benefits if an existing disease or injury was made worse by your military service. Generally speaking, there are two types of compensation for disabled veterans: disability compensation and non-service connected disability pensions.
Whatever your disability, we have extensive experience developing successful applications for benefits, identifying errors in claims decisions made by the Alabama Division of Disability Determinations and successfully appealing disability claims denials. If you have had a disability claim denied, talk to a knowledgeable SSDI attorney who can help.

Contact Our Social Security Disability Attorneys Today!
For over 15 years, J. Clay Benson, Attorney at Law, has represented individuals who have been denied their Social Security disability benefits. Call us today at (334) 356-1925, or toll free at (855)-94J-CLAY or use our online contact form for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.

Mr. Benson has dedicated his law practice to treating each client with dignity and respect while determining the best course of action to help them recover the compensation they deserve. He advocates for his clients in Montgomery, Alabama, and across the U.S. on a daily basis to make sure their rights are protected and fights for the benefits they deserve.