Eligibility Requirements

• SSI (Supplemental Security Income):
• SSI is a needs-based program for individuals who are disabled, blind, or 65 years or older.
• It is designed for individuals with limited income and resources, regardless of their work history.
• To qualify for SSI, you must have low income and few assets. The SSA sets strict limits on how much you can earn and the value of your resources (e.g., bank accounts, real estate, vehicles).

• SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance):
• SSDI is an insurance program based on your work history. To qualify, you must have worked and paid into Social Security through payroll taxes for a certain number of years.
• Work credits are required to qualify for SSDI, and the number of credits needed depends on your age at the time of disability. Typically, you need 40 credits, 20 of which must have been earned in the last 10 years.
• Unlike SSI, SSDI doesn’t have strict income or asset limits, but it requires you to have a qualifying work history.

Funding Source

• SSI:
• SSI is funded through general tax revenues, not Social Security payroll taxes. It is available to individuals with limited resources regardless of their prior work history.

• SSDI:
• SSDI is funded by the Social Security payroll taxes that workers pay during their employment. It is a program designed for people who have paid into the system and earned sufficient work credits.

Medical Requirements

• SSI:
• SSI recipients must demonstrate that they have a disability that prevents them from working for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death. SSI is available to individuals who are disabled, blind, or elderly and meet the financial requirements.

• SSDI:
• Like SSI, SSDI requires that the applicant be disabled. However, SSDI recipients must also meet the work history requirements. Your disability must prevent you from doing substantial gainful activity (SGA), meaning you cannot work and earn above a certain income threshold.
• SSDI typically requires more detailed medical evidence of your disability to prove that you can no longer work due to your condition.

Amount of Benefits

• SSI:
• SSI benefits are based on a federal benefit rate (FBR) and can vary depending on your living situation and state. The amount is generally smaller than SSDI benefits because SSI is a needs-based program.
• The amount you receive may also be adjusted based on any other income you have, such as household income.

• SSDI:
• SSDI benefits are based on your past earnings and the amount you’ve paid into Social Security through payroll taxes. Your SSDI payment amount is generally higher than SSI benefits because it’s tied to your previous work history and income.
• The more you’ve worked and earned in the past, the higher your SSDI benefit amount will typically be.

Other Considerations

• SSI:
• Eligibility for SSI benefits is not dependent on your work history, but instead on your income and resources. If you don’t have a sufficient work history or haven’t earned enough work credits, SSI may be your only option.
• SSI benefits can be combined with other forms of financial assistance, but your eligibility for other government benefits may be affected by your income and resources.

• SSDI:
• SSDI benefits are typically more stable for those who have a strong work history and meet the eligibility requirements.
• If you qualify for SSDI and later reach full retirement age, your SSDI benefits will automatically convert to Social Security retirement benefits.

How the SSA Reviews Your Application

• SSI:
• The SSA reviews both your medical condition and your financial situation when determining eligibility for SSI benefits.
• SSI applicants must meet the SSA’s strict financial criteria to qualify for the program.

• SSDI:
• The SSA reviews your work history and medical condition. If you don’t meet the work credit requirements, your application may be denied.