Different benefits are available to disabled individuals struggling to make ends me including Social Security disability insurance benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). To begin with, the two types of benefits share in common that they are both intended to help disabled individuals who are unable to work because of a disabling medical condition. There are important differences related to eligibility for the two different types of benefits, however, that disabled individuals should be familiar with.
Supplemental Security Income is a program that is available to disabled individuals who are unable to work because of their disability but do not have the work history necessary to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Social Security disability is a program workers pay into through their payroll taxes. For individuals who do not qualify on that basis because they lack the necessary work history, SSI benefits provide another option.
SSI benefits are available to help low-income individuals suffering from a disability. Eligibility for benefits is based on an evaluation of the applicant’s income and resources. Supplemental Security Income is available to disabled adults, individuals 65 and older, blind individuals and children who are blind or disabled.
Supplemental Security Income benefits are valuable benefits for disabled individuals and families that need assistance but may not meet the requirements to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Because of how valuable Supplemental Security Income benefits are for many disabled individuals and their families, it is important for them to understand the eligibility requirements and how to qualify for the oftentimes much-needed benefits.
Source: Socialsecurity.findlaw.com, “What is the Difference Between SSDI and SSI?” Accessed May 1, 2018