Social Security disability benefits are divided into two categories: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both programs are federally funded programs aimed to support disabled individuals, however, they differ in their qualification criteria and benefit amounts. Understanding these differences can help claimants determine which program they may be eligible for and how to navigate the application process effectively.
The qualifications for SSDI and SSI share several things in common:
- Your earnings from work must be under the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit set by the Social Security Administration ($1,550 per month in 2024) for three consecutive months.
- You must have a disability that can be proven to meet the Social Security Administration’s legal definition of a disability. This means your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from doing substantial gainful activity (SGA) and must be expected to last at least one year or result in death.
- You must be under full retirement age, which is usually 65 but can be higher depending on your birth year.
key differences in the qualifications for SSDI and SSI:
|
SSDI |
SSI |
| You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain period of time, typically around 10 years. | You can qualify without a work history, or with a work history that is more than 5 years in the past. |
| You must be able to prove that your disability began before your date last insured (DLI), which is usually about 5 years after you stopped working. | The date last insured does not apply to SSI cases. This means you need to be able to prove that you meet the legal definition of disability without consideration of a timeframe for when your disability began. |
| If you have money in savings, own real estate, or have other financial assets, you can still qualify for SSDI benefits. | You must have limited income and resources. In addition to the SGA requirement, your resources and assets must not exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. |
| If you win your claim, past due benefits begin accruing 5 months after your established onset date; Social Security will issue backpay to you for up to one full year before your application date. | If you win your claim, past-due benefits begin accruing the month after your application date. |
Determining whether you meet the qualifications for SSDI, SSI, or both programs can be daunting. Many individuals, over 55,000 to be precise, have benefited from the expertise of Parmele Law Firm. The legal team at Parmele Law Firm can quickly assess your claim, determine which programs you may be eligible for, and assist you with your case…even if you have already applied or have already been denied. Your initial consultation is at no cost to you and can be provided in minutes. If you have questions about an existing case or seek representation before the Social Security Administration, don’t hesitate to contact PLF today (866-889-2570).
Parmele Law Firm. Guiding you with integrity, competency, and experience.