As many as 30 percent of all Americans between 35 and 65 will suffer a disability lasting at least 90 days.
There are two primary programs offering disability insurance through the Social Security Administration.
Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to qualified individuals younger than 65 regardless of current income. Benefits are based upon your Social Security earnings history.
Social Security Supplemental Security Income pays benefits to qualified individuals who are either over 65, blind or disabled, and with limited income.
Benefits are not related to the individual’s record of Social Security earnings. It should be noted that neither SSDI or SSI cover partial disability, and both have a strict definition of what it means to be disabled.
The Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs
The Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs offers military service members and veterans disability compensation for service-related health problems.
The Federal Employees Retirement System employees are eligible for benefits if they have at least 18 months of service and are unable to perform their job because of injury or disease.
Worker’s Comp for States
All states have workers’ compensation laws that provide disability compensation to employees who get sick, become injured or who are killed on the job. These benefits and circumstances vary from state to state.
Private Disability Insurance
Private disability insurance may be purchased through employers as part of a group plan or directly from an insurance company.