For those who are aged, disabled, or blind, the federal government offers a program designed to provide funds earmarked for basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing. Supplemental Security Income is a monthly benefit available to adults, children, and families that meet certain standards.
SSI or SSDI?
If you find yourself confused by the difference between social security disability income and SSI, you are not alone. Many people fail to understand the key distinctions between the two programs. Both, after all, offer monthly benefits to the disabled.
Simply put, SSDI is available only to individuals who have amassed a certain number of "work credits," while SSI is a more inclusive option. Anyone of any age who meets certain criteria, whether they are currently working or indeed have ever worked, can apply for SSI benefits.
Though administered by the Social Security Administration, SSI is not paid for by social security funds but is funded by the treasury. Some applicants may find they are qualified to receive concurrent benefits from both SSI and SSDI. Usually, this occurs when SSDI monthly payments are extremely low based on a very short work history or a low-paying job.
Who Is Qualified?
In a nutshell, you may be eligible for SSI benefits if you are an American citizen, 65 years of age or older, blind, or disabled. Determining the rest of the equation is where things sometimes get tricky. As with all government programs, understanding the process is key to a successful resolution. As a good starting point, ask yourself if you can demonstrate eligibility in the following areas:
- Limited Resources: Resources include land, vehicles, personal property, cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and insurance policies and typically cannot total more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a married couple. Personal residences, vehicles, and insurance policies with a cash value of less than $1,500 are not included in this formula, but anything else that can be converted to cash for food or shelter is.
- Limited Income: Total income includes money received from work, other sources (such as SSA benefits, pensions, workers compensation, VA stipends, money from family, or friends) and free shelter and/or food programs.
Standards of Disability and Blindness
Applicants under the age of 65 are charged with providing proof of blindness or disability. Generally, adults and children are considered blind by SSI standards if the vision in the better eye is less than or equal to 20/200 (with the use of corrective eyewear) or the visual field in the better eye is no better than an angle of 20 percent.
Supplemental security income standards make disability a trickier condition to prove. Children under the age of 18 are considered disabled if a physical or mental impairment causes obvious and severe functional limitations, and the condition either is expected to be terminal or has lasted or will last at least 12 months.
Adults attempting to prove disability are also charged with proving the inability to engage in “substantial gainful activity,” which is defined as any work for profit that results in an income of at least $1,180 per month. If disability is in question, the SSA may refer your case to your state’s Disability Determination Services office.
Wading through government red tape can be a challenge, and you can expect the application process to take at least three to four months. But if you are truly in need, the benefits of SSI payments are worth the wait.
