A primer: Social Security Act programs to assist the disabled.

This summary is designed for those who are unfamiliar with the many current features of federally sponsored disability and health programs under the Social Security Act, including the Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) program, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, Medicare, and Medicaid. It provides an overview of the provisions and operations of the programs. Several SSA resources were consulted in compiling the material: Social Security Handbook (available at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ OP_Home/handbook/handbook.html); Annual Statistical Supplement to the Social Security Bulletin, 2005 (available at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2005); Trends in the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Disability Programs, by John Kearney and L. Scott Muller (available at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/chartbooks/disability trends); and Disability program sections of the Social Security Online Web pages (available at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability). This summary is intended to assist in understanding the features of these federal disability and health programs. The descriptions are intended for explanatory purposes and do not provide guidance in administrative or claimant actions.