The Difference Between Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The federal government maintains two programs that provide financial assistance to people with disabilities. These programs, administered through the Social Security Administration, are Social Security Disability Insurance ("SSDI") and Supplemental Security Income ("SSI"). Both programs pay benefits to people who are unable to work because of a disability, but SSI is based on financial need.

To be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must have paid Social Security taxes over a period of time. (This is money that was deducted from your paycheck automatically.) This can be a complicated and technical issue, but this is a good rule of thumb: if you are older than 31, you will qualify for disability benefits if you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least five of the last ten years before you became disabled.

SSI is designed to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter. Eligibility is based on factors such as income and resources; it does not require a past work history. "Income" includes wages, pensions, government benefits, etc., as well as food or shelter that is provided to you for free or for less than its fair market value. "Resources" include real estate, bank accounts, cash, vehicles, stocks and bonds, etc. The income and resource limits differ based on whether the claimant is married or single and whether the income comes only from wages or from other sources. Other factors used in the determination of eligibility include marital status, age, parents' income and resources, citizenship, and whether the claimant is a student receiving scholarships.