Social Security disability benefits are paid by the Social Security Administration under two programs, the Social Security Disability Insurance Program and the Supplemental Security Income Program. Both programs require that you meet certain requirements in order to be eligible. For most people the medical requirements for disability payments are the same under both programs and a person’s disability is determined by the same process.

Social security disability is based on prior work while supplemental security income disability payments are made on the basis of financial need. Social security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability. Disability under social security is based on a person’s inability to work. A person is considered disabled under social security if the person cannot do work that the person did before and the social security administration decides that the person cannot adjust to other work because of the person’s medical condition. The person’s disability must also last or be expected to last for at least one year, or to result in death.