What Are the Differences Between SSDI and SSI?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a benefit you earn based on your work history and contributions to Social Security throughout your career. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program for individuals with limited financial resources, whose work history is not necessarily a determining factor for eligibility.

An attorney can help you understand the differences between SSDI and SSI. A lawyer with experience navigating Social Security disability laws can increase the odds that the Social Security Administration (SSA) approves your claim by providing guidance, collecting and presenting evidence, and representing you at hearings.

SSDI and SSI Benefits

There are some key differences between SSDI and SSI. SSDI is a federal insurance program funded by payroll taxes. This means you must have worked long enough and paid enough into the system to qualify for benefits. You must also have earned enough credits or quarters of coverage through past employment.

Generally, you need to have worked for five of the past 10 years. SSDI benefits are based on your past earnings, and you would also be eligible for Medicare after 24 months of receiving benefits. To receive these benefits, you must also have a medical condition that prevents work for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death within 12 months.

Because SSI is a needs-based program, eligibility is determined by your financial situation, not your work history. An attorney can answer your questions about the differences in filing for SSDI or SSI benefits.

Applying for SSDI vs. SSI Benefits

For both SSDI and SSI, the SSA defines a disability based on the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment. The SSA uses SGA to describe the level of work activity and earnings that, if engaged in, would generally indicate that a person is able to work and, therefore, may not be eligible for disability benefits.

Work is considered substantial if it involves significant physical or mental activities or a combination of both. The SSA sets specific monthly income thresholds for SGA, which vary depending on whether a person is blind or not. For individuals who are statutorily blind, the SGA thresholds are used to determine eligibility for payments under the SSDI program, but not for SSI.

Because SSDI is funded by payroll taxes, you need to have worked enough years in jobs covered by Social Security to qualify. Unlike SSDI claims, there is no work history requirement for SSI, as SSI is funded from general revenues and not from payroll taxes.

Call a Lawyer for Help Seeking SSDI or SSI Benefits

An attorney can help you understand the differences between SSDI and SSI and explain their distinct purposes and eligibility requirements. Our disability attorneys are well-versed in the SSA’s requirements and regulations, including the Blue Book listings of medical impairments, which can be crucial for determining eligibility.

Our lawyers understand the intricacies of the application process, from initial application to appeals and hearings, helping you avoid common pitfalls and ensuring your claim is managed correctly. We can assess the strengths and weaknesses of your claim and help you gather the necessary evidence and present it effectively. Contact our skilled legal team to request your free consultation.