When first considering applying for benefits, the difference between SSI and SSDI can be confusing. It’s important to understand the differences, and then ask yourself several questions in order to determine which route for Atlantic City Social Security Disability is right for you.
SSDI, or Social Security Disability Insurance, is a program that offers disability relief funds to those who have accumulated a certain number of work credits by working in the United States for a period of time. SSDI is granted regardless of need, as long as the minimum number of work credits is met. In contrast, SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a program meant for low-income citizens who have not earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI. It is a “means-tested” program because it is based off of financial need.
When choosing between SSDI and SSI, consider your financial assets and income, as well as how long you have worked in the U.S. If you do not have enough work credits to be eligible for SSDI, and you are considered “low-income”, it is more beneficial to apply for SSI. However, in rare cases you can apply for both (called “concurrent benefits”).
There are a few questions you can ask yourself to determine which you should apply for, or whether you should apply for both:
1. What is my income?
This is the most crucial question to ask, because your income determines whether you are eligible for SSI. You must qualify as low-income in order to receive Supplemental Security Income. Talk to your attorney to see whether this describes you. You can also look at whether you are currently on other low-income programs, such as food stamps.
2. How long have I worked in the U.S.?
If you have not amassed enough work credits to legally qualify for SSDI, you can instead turn to SSI as your solution. The number of credits needed to qualify for SSDI goes up with age; for example, if you become disabled after age 42, you must have earned one work credit for each year after you turned 21, including the year before becoming disabled. However, if you become disabled from age 31 through 42, a minimum of 20 work credits is required – meaning that if you are 31 years old, you have to have worked every year from the year you turned 21 in order to qualify for SSDI.
Once you know the answers to these questions, you can decide which of these programs to apply for, or whether you should consider both.
