If you are born with disabilities or had accidents that resulted in disabilities, our government has programs (Social Security disability insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income program) that aim at helping you continue to live and function in our society.
Qualifications for a disability benefit
As a general rule, you will qualify for disability benefits if you cannot continue with your previous work, you cannot do other work because of your medical condition, and the disability is expected to last for at least a year.
Requirements for claiming disability benefits
To apply for benefits, you will have to provide the following information: Social Security number, the doctors, hospitals and other medical institutions that took care of you, your medicines and dosage, medical records and laboratory test results, summary of previous work, and your most recent W-2 Form.
When you start receiving your benefits, you have to keep in mind that there are payments that might affect Social Security disability benefits. Examples are work compensation and pension from a job where Social Security taxes were not paid.
