How is SSI different from Social Security Disability?

How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

Social Security disability is an insurance program that is based upon insured status. An individual pays their insurance “premiums” through payroll deductions. Earnings reported to the Internal Revenue Service are the basis of an individual’s Social Security earnings record.

Each year, an individual can add four quarters of coverage to their insured status depending on their earnings for the year.

In contrast, SSI disability does not require an insured status or that a person work. It is based upon need rather than insured status. While it does not require work or insured status, SSI does have income and resource limits an individual must meet to be eligible for the program.

Generally, Social Security disability pays a higher monthly disability benefit than SSI, because it is based upon an individual’s earnings in the years prior to their becoming disabled. SSI disability has a set maximum monthly disability benefit determined by Social Security each year. SSI disability does not pay benefits for dependents. Social Security disability beneficiaries sometimes have enough money on their record for their dependents to receive benefits as well.

Previously, I mentioned that SSI has income and resource (assets) limits that determine eligibility. SSI disability beneficiaries must have no more than $2000.00 dollars in resources if they are an individual or $3000.00 if they part of a couple. While Social Security disability beneficiaries have no resource limits. Social Security Disability does not care about an individual’s assets because their disability benefits are based upon the their earnings rather than need.

SSI disability beneficiaries are also held to income limits that involve all kinds of income. If their income exceeds their monthly income limit, they will not be entitled to receive a SSI benefit for that month.

SSI beneficiaries often end up with overpayments because they are not timely in reporting work earnings or other income. Social Security disability beneficiaries have no income limits per say; however they are affected by work activity. Social Security beneficiaries should be careful about their work earnings. Their disability benefits could be suspended or even terminated due to work activity.

Lastly, health insurance coverage is different for the two disability programs. Social Security disability beneficiaries must wait two years from the month they are entitled to receive their monthly disability check to receive Medicare coverage. By contrast, SSI disability beneficiaries receive Medicaid benefits immediately.

Some Social Security disability beneficiaries with low disability monthly benefit amounts are able to receive Medicaid and Medicare simultaneously once they are entitled to receive it. However, the vast majority of Social Security disability beneficiaries have a two year medicare waiting period before they receive the benefits of Medicare insurance.

Additional Information at:

When Should You File for SSD or SSI Disability?

Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page

Individual Questions and Answers

Filing for SSD Disability - When Should You put in a Claim?

The Cost and Expenses of a Disability Attorney or a Disability Representative

What should you get from your doctor to file for disability benefits?

If You Get Denied For Disability Should You appeal Or file A New Claim?

Are you allowed to work at all if you get Social Security disability or SSI ?

For Social Security Disability, What Does It Mean When Your Case Gets Sent Out For Review?

When should you File for Disability benefits with the social security administration?

What Happens If I Miss My Social Security Appeal Date?

What Happens If You File A Late Social Security Appeal?

Disability Lawyer Success Rate - Do Lawyers Improve The Chances of Winning?

Bipolar Disorder and Applying for Social Security Disability SSI Benefits

How often does someone get disability approved in just a few months ?

Can You Work While You Appeal Your Social Security Disability Decision?

Applying for disability benefits in Missouri

Social Security Disability And SSI Qualifications - What is the examiner looking for?

How Much Do You Get For Disability If You Are Awarded Benefits?

Can Social Security Turn You Down If You Can Do Your Past Work?

Decisions On Disability - How Social Security Decides Claims

Medical Source Statement for Social Security Disability or SSI

Making a Request for a Disability Hearing

Filing Disability Appeals- Reminders About the SSD, SSI Appeal Process

Can You Qualify for Disability if you did not work much?

How to qualify for disability - The Process of Qualifying for Benefits

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Social Security Disability Hearing?

What are Social Security Disability and SSI Concurrent Benefits?

Social Security Disability Claims and Medical Exams

If you appeal a Social Security disability denial, how long does it take to receive a decision ?

Is Bipolar Disorder a disability according to Social Security?

Social Security Disability--Permanent Disability

How to File for SSI

Doing the SSDI Appeal Online

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD and Filing for Disability

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Can you apply for SSI for a learning disability ?

Diabetes, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

If Social Security Disability sends you to an Exam, will it be done by your doctor?

Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Indiana

Social Security Disability, SSI Claim Decisions For Physical Problems and Medical Exams

How Will Social Security Decide a Disability Case that's filed?

How does Social Security make decisions on disability claims ?

SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials