What is the difference between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is the disability program that is tied to your earnings record. In order to qualify for SSDI, a claimant must have worked five full years out of the previous ten years and paid into the Social Security system. It is not necessary for those years to be consecutive, however they are cumulative.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is an indigent program and was developed for people who have not worked and/or paid in to the Social Security system five out of the previous ten years. This program, however has two eligibility factors. One is a financial component, and the other is the same disability component as SSDI claims. However, if you do not meet the financial component, the disability factors, under most circumstances, do not matter.

If you are in doubt about which programs you may or may not be eligible for, please contact our office and we will be happy to assist in determining your eligibility.