| For people who have some type of disability that | | | | epilepsy, cerebral palsy |
| keeps them from working a job that pays a living | | | | Immunological - HIV, inflammatory arthritis, |
| wage, they may be able to qualify for disability benefits | | | | scleroderma |
| from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The | | | | Mental - schizophrenia, affective disorders, |
| two types of benefits are Social Security Disability | | | | personality disorders, autistic disorders. |
| Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income | | | | Workers must have medical proof of a disability and |
| (SSI). | | | | must document that they have sought treatment. |
| SSDI is given to those who have a documented | | | | Workers seeking SSDI must also have a work history |
| medical or mental disability that renders them incapable | | | | that is dependent upon their age. Applicants for SSDI |
| of working. The guidelines for an SSDI disability are | | | | may be denied initial acceptance but have the ability to |
| that the condition prevents the individual from working | | | | appeal the decision. |
| for a period of at least twelve months. The SSA has | | | | SSI is an income supplement program that pays |
| a detailed listing of all accepted disabilities. However, | | | | benefits to needy workers who may or may not be |
| applicants who have a disability not explicitly recorded | | | | able to draw an income but still cannot provide for all |
| should still apply for benefits, as the manual of | | | | of their needs. Beneficiaries of SSI are elderly, blind, or |
| disabilities is always being updated. Examples of | | | | disabled workers. SSI provides financial assistance for |
| disabling conditions include: | | | | food, clothing, and shelter. When determining the |
| Respiratory - asthma, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary | | | | amount of SSI a person will receive, the SSA will |
| hypertension | | | | calculate how much a worker makes but does not |
| Cardiovascular - heart disease, chronic heart | | | | include food stamps, residential assistance, energy |
| failure, aneurysm | | | | assistance, or some other sources of assistance |
| Neurological - brain tumor, Parkinson's disease, | | | | before making their award. |