by Linda Sunkle-Pierucki

Created on: October 25, 2008   Last Updated: October 29, 2008

Social Security Disability is one of those hot-button subjects that people tend to get riled about without understanding the issue. It appears everyone knows someone who is receiving Social Security Disability without appearing to be disabled. These same people seem to feel that having someone receive Social Security Disability somehow is taking something away from them personally. They also resent the fact that those who have never worked, or have worked sporadically seem to be drawing a check from Social Security. Therein lies the issue-Social Security Disability does NOT go to those who have never worked or paid into the system, unless they are the dependent of someone who paid their dues via Social Security taxes and their disability was diagnosed while they were a dependent child.

The cash payments most people are upset about are not Social Security Disability but Supplemental Security Income-not the same thing at all! Although administered by the Social Security system, Supplimental Security Income or SSI is not taken from Social Security funds but from the Treasury's general funds. SSI is awarded to disabled individuals who dont have enough paid-up "quarters" in their work history to qualify for Social Security. Most of those receiving SSI that appear to be able-bodied have documented mental disabilities that make it impossible to work most jobs. Whether or not these recipients actually are totally incapable of work is a moot point: they have met the requirements of the system via medial records, doctor's statements and mental diagnostic criteria.

Until about twenty years ago, there was a loophole in the SSI regulations that allowed the drug and alcohol dependent to be classified as disabled for the purposes of SSI. That law was changed and those people removed from the SSI roles unless they could prove an underlying mental disability or illness-many did. And in truth, one likely has some form of mental illness to ignore and endanger their own welfare, destroy their families and alienate themselves from society simply for a drug or a drink. Many were diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or similar maladies that we seem not committed to finding a solution for. That, however is an issue of SSI NOT SSDI-or Social Security Disability Income. The maximum SSI monthly grant is about $630 a month.

Social Security Disability Income, or SSDI, is available ONLY to those who have worked a full forty quarters at the minimum. Many people who receive SSDI have

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