The SSI and SSDI disability programs offer benefits for disabled or blind people. However, the financial eligibility requirements are different. The main difference between Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the fact that SSDI is available to workers who have accumulated a sufficient number of work credits. People from low-income families who have never worked or haven’t put in enough hours to qualify for SSDI can only get SSI disability benefits.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) are two completely different governmental programs. However, they are both managed under the Social Security Administration umbrella. Medical eligibility for disability is determined in the same manner for both programs.
Hi, I’ve been learning more about government aid programs lately, and I’ve seen that a lot of people get SSI and Social Security mixed up. They may sound alike, but they do not work at all! I will explain it in simple terms for you.
The Basics: SSI vs. Social Security at a Glance
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are both managed by the Social Security Administration, which is why people mix them up But they’re designed for different purposes and different groups of people.
Here’s the quick version:
- Social Security is based on your work history and what you’ve paid into the system through taxes
- SSI is based on financial need and is for people with limited income and resources
Let’s dive deeper so you really understand the differences!
What is Social Security?
Social Security is what we call an “entitlement program. This means that you already have these benefits because you paid for them with Social Security taxes through your work years.
The tax money goes into special trust funds. How much you get depends on how much you earned and put into the fund over your lifetime. It’s like being forced to save for the future!
Who Can Get Social Security Benefits?
Social Security provides benefits to:
- Retired workers (age 62 and older)
- Disabled workers (any age)
- Survivors of deceased workers
- Family members of beneficiaries (in many cases)
The cool thing about Social Security is that your family might qualify for benefits based on your work record – something that doesn’t happen with SSI.
Key Features of Social Security
- Based on earnings: The more you earn and pay in taxes during your working years, the higher your benefit
- No income limits: You can have other income and still receive full benefits (though working while collecting retirement before full retirement age might reduce benefits temporarily)
- No resource limits: Your savings, property, and other assets don’t affect eligibility
- Work credits required: You need a certain amount of work history to qualify
- Comes with Medicare: Social Security recipients usually qualify for Medicare health coverage
- Living situation doesn’t matter: Where you live or who you live with doesn’t affect your benefit amount
What is SSI (Supplemental Security Income)?
SSI works totally differently. This program helps people who are blind, disabled, over 65, or don’t have much money or resources. It’s based on their needs.
Instead of being funded by Social Security taxes, SSI comes from general tax revenues – the regular taxes we all pay. So it’s not something you “earn” through working; it’s assistance for those who qualify based on need.
Who Can Get SSI Benefits?
SSI provides benefits to people who:
- Are 65 or older, OR
- Have a qualifying disability (including children), OR
- Are blind (including children)
- AND have very limited income and resources
Key Features of SSI
- Based on need: Your financial situation determines eligibility and payment amount
- Limited income allowed: You can only have a small amount of income to qualify
- Resource limits: You can only have limited assets (like savings) to qualify
- No work history needed: You don’t need work credits
- Comes with Medicaid: SSI recipients usually qualify for Medicaid (called Medi-Cal in California)
- Living situation matters: Where you live and who you live with can affect your benefit amount
- Must report changes: You have to report changes in income, living arrangements, and resources
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s a handy comparison table that shows the main differences:
| Feature | Social Security | SSI |
|---|---|---|
| Funding | Payroll taxes | General tax revenues |
| Eligibility basis | Work history | Financial need |
| Income limits | No | Yes |
| Resource limits | No | Yes |
| Work credits | Required | Not required |
| Health coverage | Medicare | Medicaid |
| Benefit types | Retirement, Survivor, Disability | Aged, Disability, Blindness |
| Family benefits | Yes | No |
| Benefit amount based on | Lifetime earnings | Federal and state laws |
| Effect of other income | Usually none | May reduce benefits |
| Effect of living situation | None | May affect benefits |
Real-Life Examples
Sometimes examples make things clearer. Let’s look at a couple scenarios:
Example 1: Mary’s Social Security Scenario
Mary is a 67-year-old Native American elder who receives Social Security retirement benefits. She worked for 30 years and gets $600 monthly.
When her daughter and grandson move into her home, she doesn’t need to report this change to Social Security. Her benefits stay exactly the same because Social Security doesn’t care about her living arrangements.
Also, when Mary receives her quarterly per capita distribution from her tribe’s Revenue Sharing Trust Fund, she doesn’t need to report this either. Social Security benefits aren’t affected by this type of income.
Example 2: John and Lilly’s SSI Scenario
John and Lilly are 68-year-old Native American elders receiving SSI benefits. When they move in with their son, they must report this change immediately to Social Security, as living arrangements can affect SSI payment amounts.
When John receives his quarterly per capita distribution from his tribe’s Revenue Sharing Trust Fund, he must report this income to Social Security right away. Since SSI is based on need, any income might affect his benefit amount.
Common Misconceptions
There’s a lot of confusion about these programs! Here are some misconceptions I want to clear up:
-
“SSI and Social Security are the same thing” – Nope! As we’ve seen, they’re completely different programs with different eligibility requirements.
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“If I get Social Security, I can’t get SSI” – Actually, some people can receive both if they have low Social Security benefits and meet SSI’s income and resource limits.
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“SSI is just for older people” – Not true! SSI is available to people of any age who are disabled or blind and meet the financial requirements.
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“I don’t need to report changes to Social Security” – For Social Security, that’s often true. But for SSI, you MUST report changes in income, resources, and living arrangements.
How to Apply for Benefits
If you think you might qualify for either program, here’s what to do:
- Visit the Social Security Administration website at www.socialsecurity.gov
- Call their toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213
- Visit your local Social Security office
For SSI applications, you’ll need to provide documentation of your income, resources, and living arrangements. For Social Security benefits, you’ll need your work history and earnings information.
Important Things to Remember
If you receive SSI, always remember to report:
- Changes in your income
- Changes in your resources (things you own)
- Changes in your living arrangements
- Changes in household members
If you receive Social Security, you generally only need to report:
- If you’re working while receiving disability benefits
- If you’re under full retirement age, working, and receiving retirement benefits
Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between SSI and Social Security is super important for making sure you get the benefits you’re entitled to. They serve different purposes and have different rules.
Social Security is like getting back what you put in during your working years, while SSI is a safety net for those with limited income and resources who are elderly, disabled, or blind.
Some people actually qualify for both programs! If your Social Security benefit is low, you might also be eligible for SSI to supplement your income.
Note: This information is current as of October 2025, but program details can change. Always verify current rules with the Social Security Administration.
What Is SSI (Supplemental Security Income)?
Supplemental Security Income is a program that is strictly need-based, according to income and assets, and is funded by general tax funding (not from the Social Security trust fund). SSI has nothing to do with work history, it is based strictly on financial need. To meet the SSI income requirements, you must have less than $2,000 in assets (or $3,000 for a couple) and a very limited income.
People with disabilities who meet the income requirements for SSI can also get Medicaid in the state where they live. People who are eligible for SSI are usually also eligible for food stamps. The amount of money an eligible person gets depends on where they live and how much money they make every month. SSI benefits begin on the first of the month when you first submit your application.
What Is SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)?
Social Security Disability Insurance is funded through our payroll taxes. SSDI recipients are considered “insured” because they have worked for a certain number of years and have made contributions to the Social Security trust fund in the form of FICA Social Security taxes. SSDI candidates must be younger than 65 and have earned a certain number of work credits. credits After receiving SSDI for two years, a disabled person will become eligible for Medicare. Under SSDI, a disabled person’s spouse and children dependents are eligible to receive partial dependent benefits. However, only adults over the age of 18 can receive the SSDI disability benefit.
There is a five-month waiting period for benefits, you must wait five months after you become disabled. Like the Social Security retirement benefit, the amount of your monthly benefit after the waiting period is over is based on how much you’ve earned. Approval rates for SSDI are higher on average than they are for SSI.
What Is The Difference Between SSDI & SSI? | Citizens Disability
FAQ
Which is better, SSI or Social Security?
6 Reasons Why SSDI Benefits Are Often Superior to SSI The average SSDI benefit is significantly higher than even the maximum SSI benefit, and the SSDI benefit for a high earner can be more than three times as much as SSI. SSDI can be paid back to up to one year before the filing of a claim for benefits. SSI cannot.
Is SSI the same as receiving Social Security?
No, SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is not the same as Social Security benefits, though both are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Social Security benefits are based on your work history and that of a family member, funded by payroll taxes.
Can I get both Social Security and SSI?
Yes, you can receive both Social Security and SSI benefits simultaneously, a situation known as concurrent benefits. This is common for individuals who meet both the work-history requirements for Social Security and the limited-income and resource criteria for SSI.
How do I know if I have SSI or Social Security benefits?
Create or Log In: Visit the SSA’s website and create a “my Social Security” account or log in if you already have one. View Benefits: Once logged in, you can view detailed information about your benefits, including whether you are receiving SSDI or SSI.
What is the difference between social security and SSI?
People often get Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) mixed up because you apply for both through the Social Security Administration. But, the programs are different. The Social Security benefit programs are “entitlement” programs.
How are Social Security benefits different?
But, the programs are different. The Social Security benefit programs are “entitlement” programs. This means that workers, employers and the self-employed pay for the benefits with their Social Security taxes. The taxes that are collected are put into special trust funds.
Can I collect SSI and SSDI at the same time?
Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to collect SSDI and SSI benefits at the same time. This is known as receiving “concurrent” benefits. When you are ready, you can apply for both benefits together. After you apply, the Social Security Administration will tell you if you qualify for one or both programs.
Are SSI & Medicare the same?
Note: People who are eligible for SSI are generally eligible for Medicaid, state-run health coverage. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, receive Social Security disability benefits, or have kidney disease. It is possible to have both Medicaid and Medicare.
What does SSI stand for?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) both pay benefits to people that the Social Security Administration deems to have a disability. Unknown catalog request error. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. This is a modal window.
Does SSI count as income?
To calculate your SSI eligibility, the SSA adds up all the income you receive, which would include your monthly Social Security benefit. Then, it deducts certain payments it doesn’t count as income. What remains is called your “countable income,” which is what your SSI benefit amount would be based on.