Social Security Insurance (SSI)

The Social Security Disability programs provide a safety net for millions of disabled Americans. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays benefits to qualified workers who have become disabled. Meanwhile, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides benefits to severely disabled individuals with very limited income and resources who are ineligible for SSDI or who are only eligible for a small amount of disability insurance (SSDI) benefits

If you have a physical or psychological impairment that prevents you from working for at least 12 months or is likely to end in death, you might be entitled to Social Security Disability Benefits. These benefits can provide an income to help support you and your family. Your impairment or combination of impairments must be severe enough to disrupt basic work-related activities and must be considered long-term. However, you cannot prove this by simply not having a job for a year. Social Security uses extensive regulations based on your medical condition, your remaining ability to work, your age, education, training and work experience in deciding your case.

There are two types of benefits that you can consider applying for. SSI is based solely on your current financial need. In order to qualify for SSI, you must have a very limited household income, less than $2000.00 in assets ($3000.00 for couples) and be considered disabled. SSDI is funded through payroll taxes. This program looks at how much you have paid into Social Security, how recently you last worked, and whether or not you are disabled.