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Social Security Disability Overview
The Social Security Administration administers two programs that pay benefits to disabled persons and their dependents. The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program provides benefits to claimants who are “insured” by virtue of their contributions to the Social Security Trust Fund. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled persons who have limited income and resources. Some claimants qualify to receive benefits under both programs. To be found disabled, you must have a physical or mental impairment (or combination of impairments) which renders you unable engage in any kind of substantial gainful employment for a continuous period of 12 months (or which is expected to result in your death).
Although the medical standards for a finding of disability are the same under the SSDI and SSI programs, there are significant differences between the two programs. Some of the more notable differences are summarized in the table below:
|
SSDI |
SSI |
|
| Funding source |
Workers’ contributions to SS Trust Fund via payroll or self-employment taxes |
General Revenues |
| Level of benefits |
Depends on the worker’s earnings over time |
Uniform monthly benefit set by federal government |
| Income/asset restrictions |
None |
Strict income and resource limits |
| Earnings requirement |
Must have worked enough to satisfy both “duration of work” and “recent work” tests |
None |
| If approved, benefits start: |
6th full month after worker became disabled |
1st of the next month after all entitlement requirements met |
| Benefit payments apply to: |
Previous month |
Current month |
| Retroactivity of benefits |
12 months prior to date of application |
None |
| Medical Coverage |
Medicare (starts after receipt of 24 months of benefits) |
Medicaid (starts after entitlement |
| Additional payments available for auxiliary beneficiaries: |
Yes |
No |