Before you try to apply to one or both of our government’s disability benefit programs, it is important to gain a deeper understanding of their respective eligibility criteria and key differentiating factors first.
In this blog, we will discuss what Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are and how they differ in benefit amounts and start of pay outs.
What is SSI?
Supplemental Security Income is a type of federal benefit available for disabled people, blind people and elders aged 65 and above. This program is “needs-based,” which means only low-income people can qualify for it.
For starters, if you have a household income or countable resources that goes above the eligibility limit of $2,000 (single) or $3,000 (couples), you will not be eligible to apply for the program.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. If the applicant is a minor child who lives with one parent, their parent’s countable resources will not be included in the $2,000 limit. The same rule will apply if the minor child lives with both parents, where their shared countable resources will not be included in the $3,000 limit.
What is SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance is a type of federal benefit available for disabled people who have earned a certain amount of “work credits” or tax contribution from their work history. This means that your SSDI benefit amount will depend on the social security taxes that you have paid for during the years where you were working as a salaried employee.
However, if you are legally blind, your application’s criteria will not include a recent employment history. If you are a young adult who is under the age of 24, you will only need to achieve six work credits to apply for the benefit program.
When do the benefits get paid out?
If you qualify for SSI benefits, your first payment will be for the first full month after your application. Your SSI benefit amount may also gain an annual increase, depending on the standard cost of living.
If you qualify for SSDI benefits, you will have a five-month waiting period from the date that the social security administration determines your disability began. After this waiting period, your first payment will be sent on the sixth full month.
However, if your disability results from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or you have an end-stage kidney disease, you are exempt from the waiting period.
It is okay to ask for help
Figuring out which program is right for you or if you can apply for both can feel overwhelming to navigate on your own. If you are unsure of the process or need help with your application, seek guidance from your loved ones, North Carolina advocates or a disability lawyer.