Disability benefits are essential for workers who are not able to carry on working, but what if you have never worked before? The answer will depend on the type of payment you are thinking of.
For example, the Social Security Disability Insurance payment is generally for those citizens who have worked and earned enough work credits. In fact, a 60-year-old needs 9.5 years of work to get SSDI. So, if you have never worked, you cannot get SSDI on your record, maybe on someone else’s. But what about SSI?
This is the disability benefit for those who never worked
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the benefit you will need to apply for if you have never worked. This is a Federal program and it does not get funds from payroll taxes as people work.
Basically, SSI aims to support those Americans with the lowest incomes if they meet one of the following requirements. Do not apply for these disability benefits if you do not meet at least one of these conditions:
- you are at least 65 years old
- you are blind
- you have a qualifying disability
How much can you get from SSI (disability benefits) if you have never worked?
The amount of your SSI payment needs to be determined by the Administration. Therefore, it will depend on your personal circumstances, income, and savings or money on hand you have.
However, these disability benefits can provide recipients with checks of up to $943 (individual) or up to $1,415 for eligible married couples. Essential persons may also get money, up to $472. Bear in mind that average payments can give you an idea of what they could be like.
If you are aged 18-64, your disability benefits could be about 743 dollars on average. Those who are under 18 get $813 on average. If your spouse gets SSDI payments, you and your children may also get disability benefits on his or her record even if you never worked.