What Is the Difference Between Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income?
What Is the Difference Between Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income?
Life with a chronic illness can easily lead to financial ruin, bankruptcy.
A large portion of the HypoGal EMails I receive are from chronically ill individuals who are frustrated and confused about the different types of government benefits the United States government offers.
So, in this HypoGal Blog I will try to highlight:
What are the differences between Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Insurance?
Social Security Disability Insurance a.k.a. S.S.D.I:
• Administered by the Social Security Administration and is funded through payroll taxes.
• Offer cash benefits for individuals who are blind or have a disability.
• To receive SSDI you must have worked a certain amount of year and you must have make contributions to the Social Security trust fund.
• Social Security Disability Benefits are paid only after you have been disabled a continuously five month waiting period. Disability Benefits are paid the beginning of the sixth month your disability began.
• You are not entitled to benefits for any period of time during your five month waiting period.
• Under Social Security Disability Insurance the spouse and children of a disabled person who receives SSDI is eligible to receive partial dependent benefits, called auxiliary benefits.
Supplemental Security Income a.k.a. S.S.I. :
• Is a government program that is strictly need-based and is funded by the general tax fund. • Offer cash benefits for individuals who are blind or have a disability.
• To receive SSI you must show need and have limited financial resources.
• Live in the United States, be a U.S. citizen or national or in one of certain categories of aliens.
• Approval for benefits usually takes three to six months. Once you SSI application is approved you will receive your benefits retroactive to the date of your application.
• If you have a disability or blindness that prevents you from working you it is possible to receive SSI earlier. However, you must meet all SSI requirements.
• In most states, beneficiaries that receive SSI are automatically eligible for Medicaid.
Additional Resources: Understanding Supplemental Security Income SSI Income — 2014 Edition Understanding Supplemental Security Income SSI And Other Government Programs — 2014 Edition Frequently Asked Questions About Government Disability Programs
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