What is the Difference Between SSD and SSI?

SSA disability benefits fall into two primary categories: Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI or SSD) provides benefits to eligible persons with disabilities (and their dependents) who have worked for long enough and have paid enough taxes to qualify as “insured” under the program.  Individuals who qualify for SSD, qualify for Medicare after 24 months of receiving Social Security benefits.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is intended for eligible persons with severe disabilities who meet additional income and asset requirements.  Persons who qualify for SSI also qualify for Medicaid based on their disability status.

How does SSA define “Disability”?

For all adults who apply for SSI and SSD,  the definition of disability is the same. The law defines disability as the “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical and/or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a period of not less than 12 continuous months.”  Essentially, this means that a person’s disability can be either mental or physical and must last at least 12 months and keep the person from working at the “substantial gainful activity” level.

Disability in Children

 Under Social Security’s Rules, a child under age 18 will be considered disabled if he or she has a mental or physical disability that “causes marked and severe functional limitations, and that can be expected to cause death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a period of not less than 12 continuous months.”   The child’s parents’ income is used to determine if the child will qualify for SSI benefits.