What is the difference between SSI and SSDI?

by | Jun 16, 2015 | Law

The key difference between Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability (SSD) is that SSD is obtainable to employees who have accumulated a sufficient number of work credits, while SSI disability benefits are offered to low-income people who haven’t earned enough work credits to qualify or have never worked. Both SSI and SSD disability programs provide cash benefits for disabled individuals, but the financial eligibility requirements are very different.

While many individuals don’t differentiate between SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income), they are two entirely different governmental programs. Although both programs are managed and administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and medical eligibility is determined in a similar manner for both programs; there are distinctive differences among the two.

SSI. Supplemental Security Income is a benefits program that is firmly need-based, according to assets and is subsidized by general fund taxes. SSI has nothing to do with an individual’s work history, but firmly with financial need. To meet the SSI income requirements, you are required to have a limited income and less than $2,000 in funds (or $3,000 for a couple).

Disabled individuals in Grove City that qualify under the income requirements for SSI also have the ability to receive Medicaid in the state they live in. The majority of people who qualify for SSI will also be eligible for food stamps, and the total dollar amount an eligible person will get is dependent on where they reside and the amount of steady, monthly income they have. SSI benefits will activate on the first of the month when you first submit your application.

SSDI. Social Security Disability Insurance is subsidized through a person’s payroll taxes. Social Security Disability Insurance recipients are thought of as “insured” because they have been employed for a specific number of years. SSDI beneficiaries have regularly contributed to the Social Security trust fund through the FICA Social Security taxes. Qualified candidates are required to be younger than 65 years of age and have earned a specific number of “work credits.” Once a person receives SSDI for two years, a disabled individual will qualify for Medicare.

With SSDI, a disabled individual’s spouse and their dependents are eligible to receive limited dependent benefits, entitled auxiliary benefits. On the other hand, adults who are over the age of 18 can get the SSDI disability benefit.

The waiting period for SSDI benefits in Grove City is five months, which means that the SSA won’t issue payments to you for the first five months after you have become disabled. The total dollar amount of the monthly benefit after that waiting period is over will depend on your earnings history, similar to the Social Security retirement benefit.

Before hiring a disability lawyer in Grove City, it is important that you know the difference between the available benefits to you.

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