You can be eligible for Social Security Disability if you are currently disabled and have worked in the past and paid taxes for disability insurance benefits.  You may be entitled to SSI benefits if you are disabled and have not worked enough and have low household income with little or no assets. There are additional requirements relating to the amount of assets you possess if you apply for SSI.

Children under the age of 18 who are disabled and their parents have a very low household income and little or no assets may be entitled to SSI benefits.