Oregon SSI/SSDI Benefits

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federally-funded programs governed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provide financial assistance to people with disabilities who are unable to work and earn an income. Only individuals who have a disability that meets the SSA’s strict medical criteria are eligible for benefits under the SSI and SSDI programs, and even for those who meet the disability guidelines, actually receiving the benefits they are entitled to can be difficult. If you are suffering from a disability in Oregon that prevents you from working and that is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death, you may qualify for SSI or SSDI disability benefits. Contact a knowledgeable SSI/SSDI disability attorney today for legal help.

Social Security Disability Insurance

Social Security Disability Insurance, commonly referred to as SSDI, pays monthly benefits to disabled individuals and certain members of their family if the disabled individual is “insured,” meaning he or she worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes during that time. SSDI benefits are based on work “credits,” or contributions to the Social Security trust fund, and, in general, disabled individuals over the age of 30 must have earned at least 20 work credits (typically at the rate of four credits earned annually) in the ten years leading up to the disability, in order to be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance. The older you are, the more work credits you need to qualify for SSDI benefits.

Supplemental Security Income

The main difference between SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is that the federal SSI program pays benefits based on financial need, regardless of the individual’s prior work history. SSI is designed to help aged, blind or disabled people (including children) who have little or no income pay for basic needs, like clothing, food and shelter, and these benefits are funded from general tax revenues. Disabled or blind children whose parents have little income or resources may also qualify for Supplemental Security Income.

Oregon State Supplement

Like many other states, Oregon also pays and administers its own supplemental payment to recipients of federal SSI benefits or their care providers, and the amount of this supplement depends on a number of factors, including the disabled individual’s income and living arrangements. In Oregon, the state supplement amount is based on state-approved allowances given for individual needs.

Contact an Experienced SSI/SSDI Attorney Today

When you apply for benefits under either the Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance program, the SSA will collect your medical records and any other information they need to make a decision about whether or not you meet their strict definition of disability. Unfortunately, actually qualifying for disability benefits can be extremely difficult, and only about 30% of Oregon disability claims are approved during the initial application process, while close to 70% are denied. If you believe you may be eligible for SSI or SSDI benefits because of a disability that prevents you from working, consult an experienced Oregon SSI/SSDI disability lawyer as soon as possible. With a reputable attorney on your side, you can significantly improve your chances of receiving the disability benefits you and your family deserve.