Is disability the same as welfare?

No. NONONO. Where are you hearing this claptrap? What you are talking about is a not-so-covert program of disinformation that is trying to equate disability with welfare. read more

However, during the same 17-year time period, the number of individuals receiving disability has risen substantially, meaning that many individuals who were previously receiving aid through welfare were switched to disability programs. read more

When we ask a question with the two words ‘disability’ and ‘welfare’, we know SSI will be discussed, as SSI is a federal welfare disability program. It is actually an aged/disabled program, as applicants are eligible at age 65 (assuming other requirements are met), based on age alone. IOW, age alone is the disability. read more

The SSI disability test (for individuals aged 18 and older) is the same test used for Social Security Disability Insurance and is quite stringent. 3 It requires that the applicant either be blind or have a physical or mental impairment that prevents engaging in any substantial gainful activity and that has lasted or is expected to last 12 months or to result in death. read more

And you can be rich or poor and qualify for Social Security disability. If Bill Gates became disabled tomorrow, he could file for Social Security disability benefits. And so can you. Maybe it would help if you think of the Social Security disability program as an early disability retirement benefit, which is what it really is. read more

Social Security and welfare are two separate and distinct financial assistance programs. Social Security benefits range from retirement and/or spousal death to disability payments. SSI is a program designed to meet the basic financial requirements of our country's neediest residents. read more