Is Social Security is for people who are ill and can not work?

I am seeking clarification..... My life long friend has a problem infection and has been operated on at least six times in thirty years. The infection never heals and ozzes puss almost daily. At least one day a week he spends the day soaking to relieve presure and release the puss. He is sore the few days prior and for a day afterwards. The jobs he has tried have not worked for him or the employer he is just not dependable. on a day when his puss is not running out his back side you would think he looks employable and he needs some money to get him by....What are his options?

Social Security is solely for retirement. There are unemployment benefits in each state, some for being laid off, some for disability unemployment. Check with the state social services department for who to contact.

The ultimate best way to go would be to find a job he can do from home. Some telemarketing companies allow people to take calls from home. You just have to have VoIP and a high-speed connection.

There are two kinds of Social Security one is for elders and one for people who are disabled. Your friend can apply at any Social Security office and may get the disability however it can be a long and arduous time trying to get it. It helps to have one of those attorneys who specialize in social security.

If I were him I would go and sign up on my SSI disability. It would not hurt to try.

Since he can work some days then he probably can't get either social security or disability. His best bet would be to use a temp agency so he can work odd jobs when he is able.

Social security is for everyone, even the rich. If somebody tries to take it away social security, lobbists say it will hurt the poor.

There are two different types of Social Security a person can apply for. There are a few misconceptions that have been posted above my response!

First your friend needs to apply for Social Security at his local SSA office. If he can get verification from a doctor that he is unable to work because of his "disability", he may be eligible to apply for SSDI.

Your friend may have to go through appeals because Social Security generally denies 70% of the applications right off the bat. You can get an appeal. They figure if they deny people, it's very rare that people re-appeal the decision. Sometimes it takes months to a few years before a person is able to receive SSA benefits.

To find out the difference between SSI and SSDI, go to Social Security's website: www.ssa.gov

If he has a work history and have been paying Social Security taxes, after 5 years he would be able to draw off. If he has no work history or less than 5 years, if he can prove his disability started before age 22 and one of his parents is drawing off of SSDI, he may be eligible.

There are several other options available to people with disabilities, on Social Security and/or working part-time and full time. For more information, you can contact his state's Independent Living Center: www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory...