Disability Benefit Acronyms have you Confused?

Posted on 04/05/19 in General

Below is a list of the most common acronyms used for various government disability benefit programs and services with a brief description overview.

SSDI SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE

Key notes about SSDI:

This program is based on one’s work history.
You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes (listed as FICA on your pay stubs) to be eligible.
Your payment amount is based on your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security.
Medicare starts 24-months after you receive the first SSDI check.
You must wait 5 FULL months after the onset of the disability before receiving SSDI though the application can be made sooner.

SSDAC SOCIAL SECURITY DISABLED ADULT CHILD

Key notes about SSDAC:

This benefit is giving to an adult child with a disability of an insured worker.
To be eligible for SSDAC, a person must be 18 years of age or older, has a disability that began before age of 22, and be a dependent of an insured worker who is disable, retired or deceased.
The payment amount is based on the insured workers lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security.
You must wait 5 FULL months after the onset of the disability before receiving SSDI though the application can be made sooner.

SSI SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME

Key notes about SSI:

This program is based on one’s mental or physical disability.
To be eligible for SSI, the disability must last 12 months or longer, have little or no income with limited resources and be considered medically disabled.
The maximum benefit amount for which one can be eligible ($750 in 2018). This amount may be lower if the individual receives other income.
There is no waiting period required before you can receive SSI benefits. Benefits are paid retroactive back to the month of application.

MBIWD MEDICAID BUY-IN FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES social security

Key notes about MBIWD:

This program is for those with a disability who are employed.
To be eligible you must be working.
In addition, to be eligible you must
- be determined disabled by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or Ohio Medicaid or be under a MBIWD medically approved category,
- be 16-64 years of age
- income up to 250% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or $30,350 for all of 2018.
Each applicant is eligible for up to $20,000 in income deductions per year.

More information about these acronymns can be found in our resource: Overview of Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI, MBIWD, SSI and SSDAC)

Learn more about LEAP's Benefit Assistance Services.

Blog