What Is The Difference Between SSI and SSDI?
Both programs are for people who are disabled, and both have a similar process for determining who is considered disabled.
Beyond that, there are several important differences between the two programs:
- To get SSDI benefits, you must have worked in a job or jobs where you paid Social Security taxes, and that work must be recent and long enough (according to a Social Security Administration formula) for you to be considered “insured.” There is no such requirement to receive SSI benefits. You can receive SSI benefits even if you have never worked in a job covered by Social Security or if you not done so recently.
- The SSI program is only for people who have low income and have resources. SSDI does not have this requirement.
- The SSDI program pays benefits to disabled adults and, in some cases, their family members. The SSI program pays benefits to disabled children as well as disabled adults.
- SSI benefits are based on financial need. SSDI benefits are based on your lifetime income from jobs covered by Social Security.
- To be eligible for SSI benefits, your income from all sources must be low. For SSDI, there are limits on how much you can be earning from work, but there are no limits to income that you receive from non-work sources, such as from investments.
- People with low income who are over 65 may be eligible for SSI even if they are not disabled. In SSDI, only people who are disabled (and, sometimes, their family members) are eligible for benefits.
Hiring Terry Katz and associates to represent my interests in my Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability case proved to be a smart decision that yielded an extremely successful outcome.
Through the lengthy and intricate process I came to realize just how valuable having a team of highly skilled representation was, and that is just how to describe the law firm of Terry Katz and Associates “Highly skilled legal representation”. I’d like to thank the entire team who worked on both my cases all of whom were always professional, knowledgeable and extremely caring. Throughout my entire case all of my calls and emails were always returned in a timely manner. My questions always answered competently and professionally. I always understood the process and felt a confidence in the process that I would not have had if not for hiring Terry Katz and Associates.
Mostly I’d like to thank Ms. Langdale who worked tirelessly on both my workers compensation case and my social security disability case. Her representation and legal prowess in the court room was nothing short of impressive to witness. I will never forget how confidently represented and protected I felt during her opening remarks at my social security disability hearing.
During these difficult times I was truly grateful to have Ms. Langdale working so diligently and expertly for my interests.