SSDI AND SSI…What is the Difference?
Brooks Law Group has offices in Tampa, Winter Haven, and Lakeland and we have been helping clients get their Social Security Disability benefits for the past 20 years now. A lot of our clients are not sure about what the difference is between SSDI and SSI.
If you cannot work because of a physical or mental condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration allows disabled people to apply for benefits. There are two forms of benefits that can be received if an application is accepted: SSDI-Social Security Disability Insurance and SSI-Supplemental Security Income. I am going to explain the differences between SSDI and SSI to you, so that you have a better understanding of what you are eligible for if you become disabled.
SSDI – Social Security Disability Insurance
SSDI, “Title II” is what could potentially be obtained by those individuals that become disabled and anticipate that their disability will last at least one year or more. An individual must have paid Social Security taxes on his or her wages long enough to qualify for benefits. This means that you must have worked a minimum of five of the ten years previous to the onset of disability.
Generally, you need to be fully insured to receive Social Security benefits, but other requirements may also apply. For example, if you stopped working today, either due to being disabled or not being disabled, your insured status will only last for 5 years. If you stop working due to disability, it is vital that you proceed with applying for SSDI. Failure to apply for disability benefits within that 5 year period could eliminate your chances to receive Social Security Disability benefits (Title II). If you are deemed disabled, your eligibility for Medicare begins after you draw 24 checks.
SSI-Supplemental Security Income
SSI, “Title XVI,” is for those people who become disabled but have not worked enough quarters in the past 10 years. If a person is deemed disabled and qualifies for only SSI, the amount that will be received, at the present time, is $674.00 per month. If that person is married and there is any spousal income income, that amount could vary. This rule does not apply to those that qualify for Title II benefits. If you are deemed disabled, your eligibility for Medicaid begins immediately (in most states).
I hope this information was helpful to you in explaining the difference between SSDI and SSI. This is a VERY common question for many people and I felt that it was time to educate all of our readers about it.
If you have any additional questions regarding SSDI or SSI, don’t hesitate to give us a call: 1-888-WE-MEAN-IT (888-936-3264). The call and the advice are free and you pay nothing unless we win your case for you.
