Cranston, Rhode Island Social Security Disability

The City of Cranston in Providence County has a population of around 80,387 based from the 2010 census. It has a total area of around 39 square miles. Money Magazine named it as one of the 100 Best Places to live in the United States in 2006. It has an estimated $21,900 per capita income, and a median household income of around $44,000. Based from the statistics from the 2008-2010 American Community Survey, more than 1% of the population are under 65 years old have self care difficulty, and 2.5% have difficulty living independently. On the other hand, almost 6% of people over 65 years old have self care difficulty and 12% have independent living difficulty.

In the United States, the ACS estimates that almost 12% of non-institutionalized individuals are suffering from a disability. The estimate is based on a sample of approximately 3 million individuals who participated in the survey. For individuals 65 and over, ACS reports that 8.8% have difficulty with self care, while 16.4% have difficulty living independently. Based from the 2008-2010 figures of the ACS, in Rhode Island, around 2% of individuals under 65 years old have difficulty with self care, and 4% experience difficulty with independent living. The numbers are higher for people 65 years and above, with 7% reported to have self care difficulty, and approximately 15% with independent living difficulty.

There are two different types of government programs to support these people. Social Security Disability Insurance; the amount you are eligible for would depend on the number of years you have worked. For example, in 2012, you would earn one credit for each $1,130 of wages or self-employment income. When you’ve earned $4,520, you’ve earned your four credits for the year. The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled. If the individual qualifies under this program, the spouse and the children of the individual would also be eligible to receive partial dependent benefits. In addition, the worker will also get Medicare coverage after receiving SSDI benefits for 2 years.

The other type of assistance is called Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is available to a disabled or blind US Citizen, who can be either an adult or a child with limited income and limited resources. It is a need-based program that is funded by general fund taxes.  It has nothing to do with a person’s contribution to the social security insurance system, because it is strictly based on financial need.  The monthly benefit that an individual receives may vary. In some states, federal SSI payments may also be supported by some funds from the state. The benefits are subject to the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR), sometimes called the Federal Payment Standard or the SSI Standard Benefit Amount, which is the maximum dollar amount that you can receive in Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cash benefits on a monthly basis.  Like SSDI, beneficiaries of SSI are also eligible for Medicaid.

d'Oliveira & Associates  -  Cranston Social Security Disability Lawyers