The most important type of Social Security benefits are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). These benefits are awarded to those who have worked full-time for five out of the last 10 years and who are now disabled and can no longer work.

Types of SSDI Benefits

There are several major types of Social Security benefits, including:

• Disability Insurance Benefits: These are the most common and important Social Security disability benefits . These benefits go to individuals who have worked in recent years, and have a qualifying disability that prevents them from working.
• Disabled Widow's and Widower's Benefits: These benefits are paid to individuals who are at least 50 years old and become disabled within seven years of their spouse's death or within seven years of the date in which your household recieved Social Security benefits. The late husband or wife must have worked enough under Social Security in order for the surviving spouse to collect money.
• Disabled Adult Child Benefits: These benefits are paid to a child eighteen or older who became disabled before age 22. If the parent is alive, that parent must be entitled to retirement or disability benefits. If the parent is deceased, he or she must have worked long enough under Social Security for survivor's benefits to be paid. For Disability Insurance Benefits, Disabled Widow's or Widower's Benefits and Disabled Adult Child benefits, it does not matter whether the disabled individual is rich or poor. Benefit amounts are based on a Social Security earnings record.
• Child SSDI Benefits: These benefits are available to the child of a qualified disabled adult on the parent's Social Security record. The child must be under 18 years old, or between 18 and 19 and a full-time student in twelfth grade or below.

Disability Benefits for the Poor

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is different than SSDI because these benefits require an individual to be poor to collect money. SSI benefits do not take into account a claimant's work history or earnings record. SSI is available for disabled children and adults, though these benefits are determined differently for both groups.

• Child SSI Disability Benefits: All children must be disabled and under the age of 18. However, Social Security uses different rules for determining disability in a child's claim. To qualify for Child SSI Disability Benefits, a child must have a physical or mental condition that causes "marked and severe functional limitations." Child disability benefits under SSI are also based on their family's income.
• Adult SSI Disability Benefits: The basic SSI amount is a standard amount across the country. Some states add money to the basic benefit amount. Whether or not you can collect SSI benefits depends on your income and your assets such as your real estate, and money in stocks and bank accounts. If you are single and your resources are worth less than $2,000, or if you and your spouse's assets are worth less than $3,000, then you may quality for SSI benefits.

Disability: More Common Than You May Think

To many people, disability is a familiar concept. However, few people consider the possibility of becoming disabled until they experience an accident or illness that puts them out of work. Yet, the likelihood of becoming disabled is higher than you may think. Research reveals that someone who has worked 20 years has a 30 percent chance of becoming disabled before he or she retires. This is why it is so important to learn all you can about SSDI and SSI.