Title II of the Social Security Act, Title XVI of the Social Security Act, Minn. Stat.§256B.055

Social Security Administration (SSA): Federal agency that administers Social Security, a program consisting of disability, retirement and survivors’ benefits.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSDI provides cash payments to people and certain family members who have worked a certain length of time and paid Social Security taxes. A person may also qualify for benefits on a parental earnings record if the person had a disability that started before age 22.

Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI pays monthly cash benefits based on financial need to people who are:

State Medical Review Team (SMRT)

SMRT is a division of the Department of Human Services that makes blind and disability determinations using criteria from the SSA.

SSDI and SSI provide cash benefits to people who meet the SSA definition of disability. The basis of disability is the existence of a severe medical impairment(s) that prevents a person from participating in substantial gainful work.

SSA considers a person to have a disability if:

No payments are made for partial or short-term disability.

There are two ways in which people may be certified:

1. Certification by the SSA

As part of the eligibility process, SSA determines of blindness and disability as part of the eligibility determination for SSDI and SSI benefits. To decide if a person has a disability, SSA asks five questions:

See Apply Online to apply for disability benefits.

2. Certification by the SMRT

SMRT uses SSA criteria to make a disability determination. Refer people to SMRT when they have:

See State Medical Review Team Disability Determinations for the SMRT process.

Social Security offers an Internet appeal process to request a review of medical decisions about eligibility for disability benefits.