RISMedia, June 17, 2011—(MCT)—The following Q & A session was prepared by the Social Security Administration to answer a few common social security queries.
Q: I get disability benefits. I would really like to try to work again, but I can’t risk losing my medical coverage. I understand Social Security’s Ticket to Work might let me try working without endangering my benefits. What can you tell me about it?
A: Ticket to Work is a voluntary program that offers disabled Social Security beneficiaries a variety of choices in obtaining the support and services they need to help them go to work and achieve their employment goals. If you receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits based on disability or blindness and would like to work or increase your current earnings, this program can help you get vocational rehabilitation, training, job referrals, and other ongoing support and services to do so. For more information, visit our Ticket to Work website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work.
Q: What is the difference between Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability?
A: Social Security is responsible for running two major programs that provide benefits based on disability. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on prior work and the taxes you pay into the Social Security program. To be eligible for a SSDI benefit, the worker must earn sufficient credits based on taxable work to be “insured” for Social Security purposes. SSDI benefits are payable to eligible blind or disabled workers, the widow(er) of a disabled worker, or adults disabled since childhood. SSI disability payments are made on the basis of financial need to adults or children who are disabled or blind, have limited income and resources, meet the living arrangement requirements, and are otherwise eligible. SSI is a program financed through general revenues.
For more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov.
