The Social Security Administration provides two major benefits programs for disabled persons – Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In order to be eligible for benefits, both programs require that your medical condition be expected to last for one year or to result in death. There are no partial or short-term disability benefits through either of these programs. You are not eligible for either program unless your disability is severe and prevents you from doing major work-related activities. If you are currently working and making even a fairly low amount of monthly income, then you probably are not eligible for SSI or SSDI benefits.

 

SSDI is a benefits program for disabled persons who have worked for a certain period of time and have paid Social Security taxes; SSDI is based on your earnings record while you were working. SSDI also may be available to your adult child who became disabled before the age of 22, based on your earnings record. If you have dependent children in your household, and/or a spouse who is caring for those children, your children and/or spouse may also be eligible for benefits based on your earnings record. 

 

The amount of SSDI that you and your family members receive is based on your earnings record; the more Social Security taxes you have paid, the higher the amount of SSDI you will receive, up to a certain limit. You should receive a statement from the Social Security Administration each year that lists your lifetime earning records, and tells you the amount of SSDI benefits that you could receive based on that earnings record. 

 

On the other hand, SSI is a benefits program for aged, blind, and/or disabled persons who have limited incomes and resources. SSI is available for persons who don’t have a sufficient earnings record to qualify for SSDI. SSI also provides benefits for disabled children. SSI is income-based, and is designed to provide basic needs for low-income people such as food and housing; SSI comes from general taxes, not from Social Security taxes.

 

The amount of SSI benefits that you can receive does not depend on your past job earnings, like SSDI does. Therefore, even if your disability prevented you from working at all, you still may be entitled to SSI benefits. Keep in mind, however, that if you receive income from any other source, it may reduce or eliminate your eligibility for SSI benefits. In the year 2008, the maximum amount of SSI benefits that you could receive was $637.00 per month; the federal government generally adjusts the monthly maximum amount of SSI for the cost of living each year.

 

If you have over $2,000 worth of resources, or $3,000 worth of resources for a married couple, you will not be eligible for SSI. Resources are things like land, vehicles, life insurance, and bank accounts. However, some resources don’t count for SSI purposes, such as the home that you live in. There are also strict rules and limitations on eligibility for SSI when you have sold or given away certain resources. Finally, SSI also depends on your living situation, such as whether you live in your own home, or whether you live in someone else’s home.