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WHAT IS SSI? IT IS NOT SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

What is SSI if it isn't Social Security disability?

SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income, often abbreviated SSI.  It is NOT Social Security disability, although the Social Security Administration administers the SSI program and benefits.

HOW SSI IS DIFFERENT FROM SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY (SSDI)

1.  SSI does not require the claimant to have any work history.  SSDI does. So, SSI may be available, even though you never worked.

2.  SSI requires the claimant to have very, very low income and very limited financial resources.  SSDI does not require limited finances.

3. SSI eligibility is month-to-month, based on changing income, housing and living circumstances.  You may qualify for SSI one month but not the next (if income or living arrangements change).

4.  SSI is a type of federal welfare but SSDI is not; SSDI is a type of federal insurance benefit.

5.  The maximum federal SSI benefit for 2025 is only $967 per month for an individual.  The SSDI maximum is based on your 30 year wage average and may be much higher than SSI. The maximum SSDI benefit is

6.  SSI comes with Medicaid.  However, SSDI comes with Medicare.

7.  To get an SSI benefit, you must meet both age/medical requirements AND financial need requirements.  With SSDI you only need to meet the medical requirements.

8.  SSI is often considered a last resort when no SSDI benefits are available (because the claimant has not worked or has not worked recently enough to be "insured").

9.  Even if you are not disabled, you might qualify for SSI based on advanced age.  This is not necessarily true with SSDI. 

10.  SSI has very limited back pay options. SSI benefits will not start until the month following your application.  However, SSDI benefits may start up to 12 months before your file an application. Thus SSDI often results in more back pay (retroactive benefits).

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Charles W. Forsythe is a successful, experienced Social Security disability advocate with The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville, AL.  We handle SSDI cases but do not handle SSI cases.  Free SSDI consultations at (256) 799-0297.


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