Social Security: An Overview on its Beneficial Programs

Social Security

Social Security is intended to provide security and to protect persons from unexpected disasters by spreading certain risks among all the members of the society for the intent to make sure that no single family will bear the full weight of such incidents.

Social Security Act

The Social Security Act is a law that tries to provide the basic needs of the retired individuals and those with disabilities.

The Social Security Act was signed on August 14, 1935 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the one who introduced it in reply to the predicament that was the Great Depression.

Programs under the Social Security Laws

• Medicare

Medicare is a health insurance program of the United States that is intended for people age 65 or older. It helps with the expenses of health care but it does not cover the expenses of most long-term care or all medical costs.

There are some individuals who are younger than age 65 who can be eligible for Medicare. This includes individuals with disabilities and those that are suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) or permanent kidney failure.

Medicare is funded by a part of the taxes paid by employees and their employers and by the monthly premiums that are deducted from checks of Social Security.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The Supplemental Security Income or SSI is an income supplement program of the Federal government that is financed by general tax revenues and not by Social Security taxes.

SSI is intended to help blind, aged, and disabled individuals who have little or no income at all. It gives cash to meet the basic needs such as clothing, food, and shelter.

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

The Social Security Disability insurance or SSDI is a program managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provides benefits to individuals who are blind or have disabilities that are "insured" by the contributions of workers to the trust fund of the Social Security. The workers' contributions are based on your income or those of your parents or spouse as required by FICA or the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. The SSDI benefits are authorized by the Title II of the Social Security Act.

• Medicaid

Medicaid is a health insurance program that is jointly funded by the federal and state governments for needy and low-income individuals.

Medicaid covers children and individuals who are disabled, blind, aged, and other individuals who are qualified to receive income maintenance payments that are federally assisted.

Under 32 states and the District of Columbia, Medicaid eligibility is provided for individuals who are eligible for the benefits of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Medicaid application in these states is also the SSI application and the eligibility begins the same months as the eligibility of the SSI.



Social Security laws are created to benefit those that are in need, specifically blind or aged persons or individuals who have disabilities. Hopefully, the US administration will acknowledge the programs' importance and continue to make provisions so as to keep the Social Security Act well and alive.