There are currently five different types of disability benefit programs available through the Social Security Administration:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) is a federal program in which workers work and pay Social Security taxes on their wages to be eligible for benefits. Payments are made in accordance with the worker's earnings history and are given to disabled employees and their dependents under 18. Individuals who worked and paid taxes for five out of ten years before becoming disabled are typically eligible for SSD payments.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a public assistance program available to disabled individuals, whether or not a work history exists. SSI has strict income and resource requirements that can reduce or eliminate an individual's eligibility. Unlike Social Security Disability benefits, SSI benefits are not based on your prior work or a family member's prior work.
Disabled Widow's or Widower's Benefits (DWB) are available to those between 50 and 60 years old who have become disabled within a certain period following the death of a spouse or ex-spouse to whom they had been married at least ten years. Payments are based on the earnings record of the deceased spouse.
Disabled Adult Child's Benefits (also known as Childhood Disability Benefits or CDB) is available to unmarried individuals who became disabled before age 22, and who have at least one parent who is receiving SSD; who is receiving Social Security Retirement (SSR) benefits; or who is deceased and had been eligible to receive SSD or SSR benefits. Payments are based on the earnings record of the parent. A person may be well past the age of 22 when they apply for benefits. They only need to prove their disability met Social Security’s requirements before that time.
Children's Supplemental Security Income is for children under 18 who are disabled. As mentioned above, SSI is a public assistance program, and specific financial eligibility criteria apply.