• Social security disability benefits offer long-term support to eligible citizens.disabled sign image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
  
  No one wants to live with a permanent disability. However, there are times when conditions require you to receive long term support. In fact, the Social Security Administration reports that a 20-year old has a three in 10 chance of becoming disabled at some point in his life. You can also receive the support from the Social Security Administration if you have worked in covered employment long enough. Qualifying medical conditions and eligibility requirements must be met before you can receive additional forms of the support.
  
  

Supplemental Security Income

• Supplemental Security Income payments are distributed monthly. Payments are based upon your income level. Money received from Supplemental Security Income is used to pay for housing, food and clothing. You must provide information, such as your date of birth, employment history and income to the Social Security Administration to apply for the benefits.
  
  

Lifetime Payments

• After you reach 62 years of age or after you have worked a certain period of time before you become disabled--such as 1.5 years worked before you turn 28 years of age--you can receive lifetime monthly payments from Social Security. In the event of your death, your surviving spouse or children can receive your benefit payments. Documents that you need when you apply for benefits include your Social Security number, birth certificate, record of medicines that you take, your physician's name, office address and telephone number.
  
  

Dependent Children

• If your child is determined to be disabled by the Social Security Administration before she turns 22 years of age, she might be eligible to receive Social Security benefits. Adult children who qualify for the benefit must not earn more than $1,000 a month from their job. The disability must cause the child to be unable to perform work they previously were able to do. The disability must also be expected to last for one year or longer or possibly result in the child's death.
  
  

Medicaid Coverage

• Medicaid helps you to pay for hospital expenses and doctor bills. Applications to receive Medicaid are available at your state welfare or local medical assistance office. Support that you receive through Medicaid is sent directly to your health care provider. For example, if you have surgery, Medicaid will send the money to cover the costs of your surgery directly to the hospital or physician who performed the procedure.
  
  

Medicare Coverage

• Social Security will pay for your monthly Medicare premiums if you currently receive Medicare and have low income. You might also qualify to receive financial support to pay health care deductibles and prescription drug co-payments. This additional support is offered through state Social Security offices. Medicare can be contacted by dialing 800-633-4227.