(816) 781-4836BurnettDriskill, 101: The Basics of Our Programs
One of the many things that set Burnett Driskill apart from other disability law firms is our accessibility and transparent communication with our clients. It is in our core values to not only work with a sense of urgency and responsiveness but also to provide the level of service you’d want for your family. That is why we are proactively sharing and answering some of the most frequently asked questions we encounter when helping people with their disability claims. We hope that by walking you through the basics of our programs you will gain a better understanding of your options and what you can expect when choosing to work with Burnett Driskill.
What are the basics of our programs?
Social Security vs. Supplemental Security Income
When it comes to Social Security there are two disability programs, Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income. Social Security Disability Insurance is based upon your work history and can be limited by when you became disabled, how much you worked, and when you stopped working. Supplemental Security Income is based on your financial need and your disability. If your medical conditions prevent you from working, you could be entitled to benefits from the Social Security Administration.
ERISA
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act, ERISA, applies to private short-term and long-term disability coverage. The rules for disability under ERISA are based upon the policy, employee benefit plan, or insurance contract.
Federal Disability
Employees of the federal government have disability annuity retirement benefits after being an employee—typically a five-year minimum period is required.
Railroad Disability
Employees of railroad with at least five years of employment are eligible to make an application for disability annuity retirement benefits. Surviving spouses who are disabled of deceased railroad workers may also be eligible for a disability benefit. This is a separate program from Social Security Administration’s (SSA) disability programs.
Veterans Disability: Service-connected vs. Non-service-connected
Disabled veterans are eligible for benefits through the VA, which assigns service connections and disability ratings. There are two types of veteran disability claims a Service-Connected disability or a Non-service-connected disability. A service-connected disability must be related to an injury or illness that occurred or was aggravated during service. A Non-service-connected disability is a needs-based program for veterans with war-time service based on their disability and age.
The rules for each program are different and you may be eligible to receive benefits under more than one program. Our legal team has years of experience in helping people get the benefits they deserve. If you have any further questions about the specifics of each program and where your unique situations might fall, call us at (816) 844-3401 to set up a free consultation.