| SSDI and SSI are two disability programs managed by | | | | prior to becoming disabled, you will qualify. |
| the SSA (the Social Security Administration). Both | | | | You earn a credit for approximately every $1,000 of |
| programs require you to prove that you are "disabled" | | | | gross income earned. If, for example you earned |
| - that is, that you are unable to perform the | | | | $5,000 in 2008, you will have earned four credits for |
| requirements of competitive work because of a | | | | calendar year 2008. If you earned $100,000 in 2008, |
| medical or mental health problem that has lasted or is | | | | you still get only four credits for calendar year 2008. |
| expected to last 12 consecutive months or longer. The | | | | Your benefit amount will be higher if you paid more into |
| main difference between the two programs is with | | | | the system but you can only earn four credits for any |
| SSDI you must have a certain amount of hours | | | | one calendar year. |
| (credits) worked to qualify for the program. If you do | | | | If you worked for cash and your income was not |
| not meet the requirements for SSDI you may qualify | | | | reported to SSA, you will not get any credits. |
| for SSI, in which case you have a weak working | | | | SSI (Supplemental Security Income): |
| history or none at all. | | | | SSI is a disability program for low income individuals. |
| SSDI (Social Security Disability) | | | | The disability requirements (proving that you cannot |
| In order to qualify for the SSDI program, you must | | | | perform the demands of any competitive employment) |
| have a work history that documents employment | | | | are the same as the disability requirements of SSDI. |
| from which Social Security taxes were withheld. In | | | | The difference - SSI does not consider your earnings |
| general, if you have worked for five out of the past | | | | history. You can qualify for SSI if you have worked |
| ten years, you will qualify. Social Security disability does | | | | only a little or even if you have never worked. |
| not look at lifetime earnings. This means that a person | | | | SSI looks at household income to determine eligibility. If |
| who worked for twenty years back in the 1960's and | | | | you have never worked but your spouse works and |
| 1970's but who has not worked in the last ten to | | | | earns even a minimum wage salary, you most likely will |
| fifteen years will most likely not be "insured" for SSDI | | | | not qualify because your household income will be too |
| benefits. | | | | high. Similarly, you can be disqualified from SSI if you |
| Social Security allows you to earn up to four work | | | | own certain assets. |
| "credits" each year. Eligibility for SSDI requires 20 | | | | A qualified Social Security attorney can advise you if |
| credits within the 10 years prior to the date you | | | | your income and/or assets take you out of SSI |
| became disabled. Another way to look at this - if you | | | | eligibility. |
| have worked for at least five out of the ten years | | | | |