Social Security Disability Insurance

Social Security Disability Insurance is also called SSD, SSDI, DIB (Disability Insurance Benefits), Title II, T2, or Disability Pension. We refer to it here as SSD.

SSD is not needs-based or means-tested. A claimant's eligibility to receive disability benefits is unaffected by assets or unearned income. Once on benefits, a claimant can receive a personal injury settlement, win the lottery, or inherit a considerable sum of money without affecting his or her SSD benefits.

Proving the Disability Date

Proof must be shown that the claimant became disabled before his/her Date Last Insured (DLI). A DLI is usually within five years of the date last worked.

Calculating Benefits

SSD is based on the claimant's work record. Certain other Title II (referring to Title II of the Social Security Act, which authorizes SSD) benefits can be based on a work record other than the claimant's. A parent's or a spouse's work record may yield benefits for a claimant.

Quarters of Coverage (QC's)

Generally, if a claimant has worked steadily for five of the last ten years (20 out of the last 40 quarters), he/she should be covered under the Social Security system.

Special rules apply to

• claimants who become disabled before age 31;
• people whose work falls under a different program, such as the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS), etc.