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Untitled Document

SSI vs. SSD: A Comparative Guide

Supplemental Security Income
(SSI)
Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSD)
Type of Entitlement
Needs based:
must meet categorical criteria, income and resource limits

Insurance based:
must meet categorical criteria with no lifetime income or resource limits

Categorical Criteria
For people aged 65 or older or for people who are disabled or blind at any age (including children). Must apply for all other cash benefits you may be eligible for.
Only for disabled and blind people.
Income Limits
Based on living arrangements
and martial status.

You can still work and be eligible for SSD. You can continue to be eligible for SSD if your monthly earnings total is less than the 2007 earned income limits:

  • Individual : $900/mo
  • Blind : $1,5000/mo
Resource Limits

Single: resources under $2,000

Married : resources under $3,000
There are no resource limits.
Work History
No work history is required.
(except for legal permanent residents)
Must have required “quarters of coverage” (QC) or credits. Required QC’s are based on your work history and age at the onset of your disability. You earn one credit for each $1000 of your earnings beginning at age 21, maximum of 4 credits per year worked.
Benefit Payment

Cash Benefit : checks are paid for the month they are received. Checks are paid on the 1st of the month.

2007 Maximum Monthly Benefit/Income Limits:

  • Single:
    • Living Alone = $710
    • Living w/Others = $646
    • Living in Household of Others = $438.34
  • Married:
    • Living Alone = $1,038
    • Living w/Others = $980
    • Living in Household of Others = $668.67

Cash Benefit: checks are paid one month behind and are paid on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday of the month depending on recipient’s date of birth.

Monthly benefits are based on average lifetime earnings.

Applicant is eligible to receive benefits 6 months after onset of disability.

 

Who is Eligible in the Household?
Only the individual that meets the eligibility requirements. No family members will be eligible for SSI unless he or she establishes his or her own eligibility of SSI benefits.
The insured workers and his or her dependents such as children, spouses, divorced spouses and disabled adult children can obtain benefits on the worker’s record.
Health Insurance Eligibility
Eligible for Medicaid if receiving at least $1 of SSI.
Eligible for Medicare after 24 months of establishing eligibility for SSD.
Additional Service Available

May be eligible for additional services through SSI:

  • Housekeeping & personal care services
  • Money management & assistance making living arrangements

SSD offers programs with “work incentive” that allow you to keep your benefits, including health insurance:

  • Ticket to work
  • Trial work periods
Immigration Status Impacts

Non-citizens must have a “qualified immigrant” status and meet all other SSI income and resource requirements. Includes:

  • Legal Permanent Residents (LPR)
  • Parolee (at least one year)
  • Refugee
  • Asylee
  • Deportation Withheld (before April 1, 1997)
  • Cuban/Haitian Entrant
  • Conditional Entry (before April 1, 1980)
  • Certain battered immigrants

One of the following must also be true:

  • Legally residing in the U.S. on August 22, 1996 & receiving SSI or considered legally blind or disabled as of August 22, 1996
  • LPR who earned 40 quarters of coverage
  • On active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces or are a veteran honorably discharged for reasons unrelated to your immigrant status.
Must be a legal residence of the U.S. and have been authorized to work (i.e. valid Social Security number). You must have earned the required quarters of coverage based on your age and work history.