TANF

The SSA administers two programs that provide benefits based on disability:

RSDI provides disability benefits to people and their dependents with disabilities under certain conditions.

SSI provides benefits to people with disabilities, including children under 18, who have limited income and resources .

The Social Security Act and SSA's regulations define disability:

For all people applying for RSDI and adults applying for SSI, the definition of disability is the same. The law defines disability as the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity because of physical or mental impairments which may result in death or has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

For children under 18 years applying for SSI, the law defines disability as a physical or mental impairments that results in marked and severe functional limitations and may result in death or has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

Refer the person to apply for SSI if they meet one of the following conditions:

Psychological or psychiatric problems: actual clinical diagnosis or medical documentation that shows the person cannot work; odd or inappropriate behavior; or inability of a long-time TANF person to get or keep a job for more than 30 days because of a mental impairment.

Obesity combined with any other physical problems such as arthritis, high blood pressure, heart failure, respiratory disease or vascular disease.

Low intelligence: former special education student; inability to read or write even though the person went to school; basis test scores below 200 failure to understand even the simplest directions; or down syndrome.

Serious substance abuse when combined with other related health problems.

Serious health problems: multiple sclerosis, cancer, stroke, multiple surgeries for the same problem, multiple trauma and other situations; chronic health problems; or Newborns with low birth weight of 1200 grams or less within the first few days after birth.

Over 50 with health problems, especially if combined with limited education and limited work history.

Note: A person, including a child, applying for SSI based on disability or blindness may receive up to six months of payments before the final determination of disability or blindness if the claimant is determined to presumptively have a disability or be blind and meets all other eligibility requirements.