Idaho SSI/SSDI Disability Benefits

The federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs were created to administer monthly benefit payments to individuals with a disability that prevents them from working, and, while the SSI and SSDI programs differ in many ways, their definition of disability is the same. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), which administers both programs, a “disability” is a severe medical or mental health problem that is expected to last for at least one year or result in death, and benefits are only available to individuals whose disability prevents them from performing “substantial gainful activity.” If you are unable to work because of a severe physical or mental disability, and you believe you may be entitled to disability benefits in Idaho, consult a reputable Idaho SSI/SSDI disability attorney today.

Social Security Disability Insurance

Social Security Disability Insurance is a federal program that pays monthly benefits to disabled workers who have paid enough money to the Social Security fund over enough quarters to be considered “insured.” The SSDI program is based on work “credits,” and the number of work credits SSDI applicants need to be eligible for benefits depends on their age at the time they become disabled. In general, workers must have earned 40 work credits, 20 in the previous ten years ending with the year they became disabled, in order to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance.

Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal benefits program that provides monthly cash payments to aged, blind or disabled individuals who are needy and who can’t work. Unlike SSDI, the SSI program has no work requirement for eligibility, although there are income and resource limits in place for SSI recipients. In general, your total countable income and resources must be less than $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple in order to be eligible for SSI benefits, and if you have any income other than SSI, some of it will be subtracted from your monthly benefit payment, including:

Money you earn from work
Money you receive from friends and family
Food or shelter you receive for free, or for less than it’s worth
Other benefits, such as unemployment, SSDI, workers’ compensation or a pension

Generally, the maximum federal SSI benefit changes yearly based on increases in the Consumer Price Index. In 2017, the maximum benefit amount for Supplemental Security Income is $735 for an eligible individual and $1,103 for an eligible couple.

Idaho State SSI Supplement

Many states administer an additional monthly benefit to supplement the federal SSI benefit, which means the total SSI benefit amounts are higher in those states, and Idaho is one of these states. The amount of the Idaho state supplement depends on the SSI recipient’s living arrangements, i.e. if he or she is living independently or in the household of another, or in an assisted living facility, and this additional payment is administered by the Idaho State Department of Health and Welfare.

An Experienced Idaho SSI/SSDI Lawyer Can Help

The Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance programs were created to provide life-saving benefits to individuals who are unable to work and earn an income because of a severe physical or mental disability. Unfortunately, only about 34% of disability claims in Idaho are approved during the initial application process, which means the majority of applicants are forced to either drop their claim or begin the appeals process. If you plan to apply for disability benefits in Idaho, or if you have been denied disability benefits that you believe you are entitled to, your first course of action should be to contact an experienced Idaho disability lawyer to discuss your rights. With a qualified SSI/SSDI attorney on your side, you can significantly improve your chances of receiving the disability benefits you deserve, and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process.