The Difference Between SSD and SSI

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability programs both offer benefits for the disabled, but the financial eligibility of each are very different.

The primary difference between the SSD and SSI programs is that SSD is available for those who have worked enough to accumulate enough of what are called “work credits”, while SSI benefits are available to individuals who have either never worked or haven’t earned enough work credits to qualify for SSD.

Many people fail to distinguish between these two programs because they are both overseen by the Social Security Administration, but they are completely separate with some important differences.

What is SSD?

The Social Security Disability program is funded through payroll taxes, and SSD recipients are considered insured because they have contributed to the Social Security trust during the years that they worked. SSD candidates must be younger than the retirement age of 65 and have earned enough work credits to be eligible.

SSD benefits allow a disabled person’s family to receive auxiliary benefits, though only adults over the age of 18 can receive SSD benefits.

What is SSI?

Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a strictly need-based program that pays out benefits based on income and assets, and is funded by general fund taxes as opposed to the Social Security trust fund like SSD. SSI determines payout based on the financial needs of the recipient instead of being based on work history. To qualify, you must have less than $2000 worth of assets and a limited income.

SSI benefits begin on the first of the month that you submit your application.

To learn more about SSD and SSI programs and to find out if you might be eligible to receive benefits, call the team at the BCN Law Firm in The Villages today at (352) 775-4739 .