HOW IS SSDI DIFFERENT FROM SSI?

The Social Security Administration has two disability programs.

One is Social Security disability or SSDI for short. It's intended for working individuals who have paid into Social Security and have become unable to work. There are no income limits.

The other program is Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is for individuals who have not worked recently and do not qualify for SSDI. SSI is a type of "welfare" which requires medical disability AND very limited household income and financial resources.

Here are major differences in these two programs:

SSDI: SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE

• Requires a minimum number of work credits within a specified time frame

• Maximum benefit in Alabama in 2024 is $3,822 for a disabled, non-blind claimant Provided under Title 2 of the Social Security Act

• Is a program of the US Government under the Social Security Administration

• SSDI does not require low income or low finances to qualify

• SSDI has no restrictions on your financial resources (money in the bank, property, etc.)

• Is not available to individuals who have little or no work (have not paid into FICA by payroll)

• You should apply for SSDI if you have worked enough to qualify.

SSI: SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME

• SSI does NOT stand for "Social Security Insurance;" it is not insurance

• It's a joint welfare program by the state and the United States government

• Maximum individual benefit in Alabama in 2024 is $943 per month (may be less)

• SSI does not require any work credits or work experience to qualify

• SSI is a type of welfare and requires both disability and very limited income/financial resources to qualify

• SSI may be available to low-income individuals who have not worked recently

• SSI usually provides a much lower benefit than SSDI

Since there are many fundamental differences between SSDI and SSI, it's best to explore which benefit you may qualify for. You may qualify for one, not the other; or you might qualify for both. Since SSDI potentially has a much larger benefit amount, it is usually better to apply for SSDI if you can. You may obtain more information from a disability attorney's office or from your local Social Security office.

It is important to realize that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has 2 basic requirements: (1) disability, meaning the inability to work due to a physical and/or mental impairment; AND (2) severely limited income and financial resources (wealth). Meeting one of these requirements but not the other will result in a denial.