If you or someone you care about suffers from a debilitating medical condition, you have probably heard about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Navigating social security benefits may be difficult and complex. How do SSI and SSDI differ? Which program is most suited to your needs? Speak to a social security disability attorney in St. Louis, Missouri, to learn more. 

Understanding SSDI 

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a disability program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that aids disabled individuals who have a qualifying work history or who qualify under the employment record of someone else. “Credits” or “quarters of coverage” are obtained by paying Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes. 

Understanding SSI 

Supplemental Security Income provides cash help to people with disabilities, the elderly, and impaired children. However, SSI is only available to persons in the abovementioned groups with low resources and income. The federal government provides SSI payments, typically supplemented by state programs.

Difference between SSDI and SSI 

The main distinction is that SSI is determined based on age/disability, limited resources, and income, whereas SSDI is determined based on disability and work credits. Moreover, SSI beneficiaries are automatically eligible for Medicaid health care coverage in the majority of states. Individuals receiving SSDI will automatically qualify for Medicare after 24 months (individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS] are eligible for Medicare immediately).

Eligibility difference 

Beyond learning the fundamentals, there are other distinctions to be aware of when selecting whether SSI or SSDI is the best program for you to apply to. 

• You must have achieved sufficient work credits or qualify based on your family ties with a spouse or parent to be eligible for SSDI payments. You can only qualify if you are handicapped.
• You must have a low family income and few countable financial resources to be eligible for SSI payments. Your employment history is irrelevant, and you are not required to acquire labor credits. You may be eligible if you are handicapped, over 65, or blind.

You must fulfill a certain definition of handicapped to be eligible for either program based on your disability status. This might include:

• In 2023, considerable gainful activity is defined as earning at least $1,470 monthly or $2,460 if blind.
• Having an impairment listed in the “Blue Book” (Social Security’s list of impairments that qualify you for benefits) and displaying the appropriate symptoms of your impairment, or having a condition comparable in severity and impairment degree to your disability.
• Having a handicap that seriously interferes with your life and prevents you from performing any job for which you are qualified.
• Having a handicap that has lasted or will last a year or that will result in your death.

Medical records are required to substantiate your disability status for both SSI and SSDI.