Social Security is a government program established by the Social Security Act, which makes monthly income-maintenance payments to retirees, spouses, dependent children, and survivors. The Act also establishes two programs, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income, which pay monthly cash benefits to disabled persons, who can't work because of an injury, illness, or worsening medical condition. Social Security law is a large and complex body of law that governs edibility for benefits under the Social Security Act, administrative proceedings, and judicial review.