Are SSI Disability Benefits Different Than SSDI Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are two programs which are offered through the Social Security Administration to provide people with financial security, in case they become disabled and become incapable of work to support their daily living. In order to qualify for benefits under the SSDI program, an individual with disability must fulfill the medical criteria set by it. SSI is a program that gives monthly cash payments to those who do not have sufficient income or own many things. SSI is for elderly people, and also disabled people of any age, including children.

SSDI program offers benefits to you and to certain members of your family if you are "insured", which means you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Those who do not qualify for SSDI benefits could apply for SSI provided they possess only limited resources and income. You have to be a resident of the US and live there or Northern Marians Islands for getting SSI.

Many people want to know if there is any significant difference between SSI disability and social security disability income. In fact, SSI eligibility is determined in exactly the same manner, by evaluating a claimant's medical records and vocational factors. Looked at this way, SSI disability requirements are the same. There is no separate SSI disability application or SSI disability forms, nor is there a processing difference between SSI disability benefits for adults and SSI disability for children.

To be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must first have worked in jobs that are covered by Social Security. Then your medical condition must fulfill Social Security's definition of disability. In general, Social Security pays monthly cash benefits to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability.

It is usually seen that once a case is approved at the request for reconsideration or request for hearing level, it takes several weeks to receive the SSDI or SSI award letter. Those approved for SSI will be required to have their non-medical eligibility qualifications verified (assets and income) at another disability interview to be held later. Those approved for SSDI, however, will be eligible for disability benefits depending on how long they have worked and may learn what kind of disability benefits their children can receive depending on their social security disability approval. They will also come to know how far back disability benefits will be paid.

If you are getting Social Security disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits automatically turns into retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same. You should also keep it in mind that it is your responsibility to let Social Security know if your health improves or you go back to work.

Any application for SSDI and SSI benefits, with or without an advocate, can prove difficult because of the time a claim may take and the high chance of not getting the necessary approval. But those who are denied disability can earn benefits by utilizing the appeals process. In order to boost the chances of winning, they must learn about the system and file an appeal when a claim is denied.

• John Palsson
• 16/04/2009, 12:59 AM
• 0 Comments