Social Security in Missouri makes available disability benefits to those who are qualified under two distinct programs; SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Income). SSI is based on a means test and is the program available to those with limited means; SSDI on the other hand is the program that is available to those disabled workers who qualify.
SSDI pays monthly cash benefits to those who qualify. If the applicant can prove that the physical or mental disability will make it impossible to work for at least a year the benefits will continue until the beneficiary is able to return to work or reaches the age of retirement. At the age of retirement disability benefits cease but they are automatically converted into retirement benefits, the amount stays the same and is subject to an annual cost of living increase. The beneficiary of Social Security in Missouri will also be granted access to health insurance under the Medicare program after two years of collecting disability benefits.
SSDI is similar to retirement benefits inasmuch as the applicant must have accumulated a certain number of work credits before the application is accepted. However, fewer work credits are needed to qualify for SSDI than are needed to qualify for retirement benefits. The maximum number of work credits that anyone can earn is four, the number you need to collect benefits varies based on the age of the applicant when he or she became disabled.
Who is disabled?
Social Security in Missouri applies very strict rules when defining disability. SSDI does not pay benefits for a disability that is forecast to last less than a year nor do they pay for a partial disability. The disabled individual must not be capable of performing any substantive work and the disability must be expected to last more than 12 months or result in death.
Although the rule is such that the disability must be expected to last at least a year the disabled individual should apply as soon as the condition they suffer from becomes disabling and the physician treating the applicant will certify that the condition is expected to last a year.
Although there is only one rule and it applies to all applicants, Social Security in Missouri is more lenient when the applicant is older. The administration is well aware that retraining a 60 year old worker and finding new employment will often result in failure. Furthermore, it is a known fact that the disabled person will soon start receiving retirement benefits so the cost of providing disability benefits is low compared to a young worker.
Social Security in Missouri is the agency you turn to when you become disabled or retire. For further information on SSDI and SSI you are invited to contact Grundy Disability Group.
