Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal insurance program that is run by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSDI provides cash benefits to replace some of an individual’s income if they can no longer work due to disability.
SSDI is not a welfare program, because individuals pay in to the system through taxes withheld from the individual’s paychecks. To be eligible, an individual needs to have a sufficient work history and meet disability criteria to be entitled to benefits.
In order to be deemed eligible for SSD, an individual must suffer from an injury or illness that is terminal or prevents him or her from working for at least 12 months. Many conditions are considered to be disabling by SSD, including both physical and mental disorders. Also, an individual may have two or more disabilities or impairments, which when considered as a whole, result in the individual being unable to engage in substantial gainful employment.