4 Types of Disability Benefits for Those Over 50
Updated on May 20, 2024 / 3 min read
The government offers several benefits to those over 50 with disabilities, as it acknowledges that it can be challenging for older adults to work in new environments due to an impairment. People over 50 typically qualify for disability benefits if they can submit proof of their medical condition and age. Even if the given health issue or disability does not make them eligible for certain benefits, the government has schemes that can offer them financial assistance.
1. Social Service Disability Insurance benefits
Typically, government schemes do not entirely cover monthly bills, family expenses, monthly groceries, and other costs, even if one has a disability and cannot work as they did before. That said, Social Service Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a useful option for people over 50 with disabilities who need monthly monetary assistance to stay afloat. SSDI pays the applicants and their dependents if the primary applicant has a disability and has worked for a given period (a year or more) and paid Social Security taxes during that time.
It is important to note that SSDI eligibility is linked to work history. The Social Security Administration (SSA) closely checks an applicant’s work history, education, age, and skills to determine if they qualify for the benefits. Based on these records, the SSA then checks whether a disability prevented the applicant from working for a year or more. Sometimes, one can get disability benefits even if they have resumed work but are not engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA), i.e., work that involves significant physical or mental activities performed for pay or profit. Currently, the set SGA earnings value is $1,550 per month (or $2,590 in case of disabilities like blindness). So, if one earns more than the given value, they might not qualify for disability benefits.
Further, after examining health and work records, the application can be approved or rejected. If approved, it takes five months for the benefits to kick in.
2. Veterans Affairs compensation
Those who have served in the military and sustained an injury or disability during their service also get certain benefits from the government. Here, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers eligible veterans a monthly tax-free monetary benefit.
There are three situations in which veterans can get disability benefits. In addition to the in-service disability claim, i.e., encountering an injury or disability during the service period, even veterans with an existing illness or disability that worsened during service can qualify for these benefits. This falls under the pre-service disability claim. Finally, veterans with disabilities who did not appear after the service ended can also qualify for VA benefits under post-service disability claim.
Applicants with disabilities must have engaged in active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training to claim VA benefits. Additionally, veterans are more likely to receive VA compensation for issues like chronic (long-lasting) back pain that can lead to a disability, severe hearing loss, tissue scarring, loss of mobility, ulcers, cancer, and breathing problems.
3. Federal disability retirement benefits
Employees of a federal workplace may be eligible for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) disability retirement benefits in case they develop a disability or become injured and are no longer able to perform their job.
To qualify for this benefit, federal employees need to submit proof indicating that their disability made them unable to offer useful and efficient service. To do that, they need to show medical documentation, including records of ongoing healthcare evaluations. Additionally, the documentation must indicate that the disability is expected to last at least up to a year. Generally, long-term or permanent disabilities are given greater prominence over temporary conditions when examining eligibility for these benefits.
Federal employees can seek benefits offered by both the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement Service (CSRS). To become eligible for FERS/CSRS benefits, the applicants should have 18 months of creditable civilian service and proof of development of disability while serving in a position under FERS/CSRS. One must have also applied for social security benefits to qualify for FERS and CSRS benefits.
4. Medicaid coverage for disabilities
This is a joint federal-state program that helps older adults get access to healthcare services. Those with disabilities are also intended beneficiaries under this program. In addition, Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), another government-backed healthcare program, are closely related. As per SSI, those with disabilities can get a monthly monetary payment to help cover their disability-related expenses periodically.
While the schemes are not exclusive to older adults, those over 50 can be eligible for the benefits.
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