Social Security, Disability, Medicare and Medicaid

You are certain to encounter a maze of information (and misinformation!) about Social Security Benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability (SSDI), Social Security Survivor’s Benefits, Medicare, Medicaid and Medi-Cal when you read about it on the Internet, or talk to a friend or neighbor about these topics. It is easy to get confused and disheartened in the process.

You need to be able to answer these simple questions for yourself or your family member:

• What is this program and how does it work?
• Do I need it?
• Do I qualify for it?
• Will I benefit for it?
• Do I have to pay for it?
• How do I apply for it?

The background, eligibility and needs of each individual are different.

We have provided links to a few resources here that could help. Consider this a starting point for your investigation to determine what benefits could be available for yourself or a family member and to understand the process to follow to obtain these benefits.

• Social Security: Understanding the Benefits
• Understanding Social Security
• How Social Security for Legal Immigrants Works
• What is the Difference Between SSDI and SSI?
• Introduction to Medicare and Medicaid
• What are Medicare and Medicaid?
• What is Medi-Cal?