| I have had, and continue to have, numerous questions | | | | 44: 22 |
| about the difference between SSDI and SSI. | | | | 46: 24 |
| Summarized below are the key differences. | | | | 48: 26 |
| The SSDI and SSI programs are the largest of the | | | | 50: 28 |
| Federal programs that provide assistance to people | | | | 52: 30 |
| with disabilities. Generally, the medical requirements for | | | | 54: 32 |
| disability eligibility are the same under SSDI and SSI | | | | 56: 34 |
| programs, but the way these programs are funded | | | | 58: 36 |
| differs. | | | | 60: 38 |
| The SSDI program is funded by the Social Security | | | | 62 or older: 40 |
| taxes paid by employed individuals. Therefore, the | | | | The easiest way to check your financial eligibility is to |
| SSDI program is based on a person’s work | | | | request a Summary of Earnings and Benefits. You can |
| experience. The SSI program is funded by general tax | | | | obtain a request form as well as apply on-line at and |
| revenues and pays benefits to people with disabilities | | | | click on: “How To Request a Social Security |
| who have limited income and assets, and is based on | | | | Statement of Earnings and Benefits.” You may |
| a person’s financial need. | | | | also obtain a form to request the Statement at any |
| SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance is an | | | | Social Security office and most post offices. Ask for: |
| insurance program that sends out monthly checks to | | | | “Request for Social Security Statement |
| disabled workers who have paid Social Security taxes | | | | (SSA-7004).” |
| (called "FICA" on your paycheck stubs). You must | | | | SSI: Supplemental Security Income is a welfare |
| have worked for at least 5 of the past 10 years | | | | program for disabled people who meet the Social |
| before you apply to be "currently insured", or covered, | | | | Security medical and SGA disability rules and whose |
| but the minimum time is less if you're under age 31 | | | | income and assets are below the eligibility levels. SSI |
| when you become disabled. The amount you get | | | | allows assets of $2,000 liquid; a separate bank |
| depends upon how much you have paid in taxes and | | | | account of up to $1,500 for "burial"; a vehicle of any |
| for how long, since SSDI is an insurance - not a | | | | value, if used to go to medical care; household |
| welfare - program. In general, the higher your earnings | | | | furnishings; certain self-employment business equity |
| have been and the longer you have earned them, the | | | | and equipment; and a lived-in home of any value. The |
| higher your SSDI check will be. Benefit amounts vary | | | | SSI income level in 2002 is $545 per month (but it's |
| from a low of about $200 monthly to a high of about | | | | higher in most wealthy industrial states, which |
| $1,600; the average SSDI check is about $850, but this | | | | supplement this amount). All gross income counts |
| average does reflect low wages paid in the South, in | | | | against this level: SSDI, earnings, pensions, gifts, |
| rural areas, and in small towns. | | | | contributions, bank interest, dividends, veterans' benefits, |
| SSDI checks start at the end of the fifth month after | | | | etc. If your SSDI check is below the SSI level, you can |
| the "date of onset," the day you became "disabled" | | | | get SSI as well as SSDI. Before comparing gross |
| under the Social Security rules by meeting the medical | | | | income to this level, SSI disregards (i.e., doesn't count) |
| rules as well as not engaging in substantial gainful | | | | $20 per month of any income, out-of-pocket |
| activity ("SGA”). The number of work credits | | | | Impairment Related Working Expenses (IRWEs: |
| you need for disability benefits depends on your age | | | | medical costs you pay to enable you to work) and |
| when you became disabled. Generally you need 20 | | | | $65 and half the rest of any earnings. If the resulting |
| credits earned in the last 10 years ending with the year | | | | countable income is above the SSI income level (again, |
| you became disabled. | | | | $545 in most---but not all-- states), you're not eligible. If |
| However, younger workers may qualify with fewer | | | | it's computed to be less, you get an SSI check for the |
| credits. The rules are as follows: | | | | difference between your countable income and the |
| • Before age 24—You may qualify if you | | | | SSI level - and, as a "fringe" benefit in most but not all |
| have six credits earned in the three-year period ending | | | | states, a Medicaid card. |
| when your disability starts. | | | | SSI—This is known as Title XVI (16) Supplemental |
| • Age 24 to 31—You may qualify if you | | | | Security Income. This program is for people who either: |
| have credit for having worked half the time between | | | | • Have not paid enough quarters (earnings) into |
| age 21 and the time you become disabled. For | | | | Social Security for any reason. |
| example, if you become disabled at age 27, you would | | | | • Have limited resources and income. |
| need credit for three years of work (12 credits) out of | | | | Although you must be disabled according to |
| the past six years (between age 21 and age 27). | | | | SSA’s definition, you must first meet |
| • Age 31 or older—In general, you will need to | | | | SSA’s strict resource eligibility test prior to your |
| have the number of work credits shown in the chart | | | | medical condition being considered. If your resources |
| shown below. Unless you are blind, at least 20 of the | | | | exceed SSA’s limit, you cannot collect SSI |
| credits must have been earned in the 10 years | | | | irrespective of your medical disability. |
| immediately before you became disabled. | | | | Do You Qualify For SSDI??? |
| Born After 1929, Become Disabled At Age Credits | | | | The Social Security Administration has provided this |
| You Need | | | | online "test" for people to use so that they can decide |
| 31 through 42: 20 | | | | for themselves if they are eligible. |