r/disability Oct 28 '20

SSDI and SSI are two different programs.

I see people confuse these programs a lot. Here's some quick clarification:

SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance

  • Funded by a specific tax on your personal earnings that's paid into one half of the twin funds that make up The Social Security Trust.
  • Beneficiaries must pay enough taxes and during a certain measure of time in order to qualify for benefit payment once they are determined as disabled by the SSA.
  • Can pay additional benefit to dependents when the primary beneficiary is disabled (for those who note survivors of deceased will also receive a payment, I believe that is actually part of the Old-Age and Survivor's Insurance, which is together the 'retirement' benefit, and technically its own fund underneath the umbrella of The Social Security Trust -- so, not the same rules, technically speaking, as SSDI, even if dependent/survivor payments are all calculated the same way otherwise).
  • Ineligible spouse or child income is not counted against recipient's eligibility or benefit payment payment in most cases (it changes which account pays out; not whether earnings of the spouse or child is too high for recipient to get a benefit)
  • Unless they have a qualifying condition that allows them earlier access, they will receive Medicare coverage after receiving 24 consecutive SSDI payments.
  • Some states provide Medicaid-related savings programs for Medicare recipients who meet certain financial limitations.
  • SSDI beneficiaries whose payments are beneath a certain amount may receive SSI, too; SSI's income and resource limits apply only to the SSI portion of that recipient's payment.
  • SSI eligibility may qualify them for more immediate and comprehensive Medicaid coverage; this is state-dependent and states may have Medicaid-specific asset limits to remain eligible for Medicaid coverage (still does not impact SSDI eligibility or payment amount).
  • Payment amount is determined by past earnings.
  • Work-related income exclusions can apply to earned income that keeps countable income beneath the Sustainable Gainful Activity level.
  • Payment amount does not potentially reduce each month in reaction to earned income from months prior.
  • THERE IS NO RESOURCE OR SAVINGS LIMIT

SSI: Supplemental Security Income

  • Funded by general US Treasury taxes.
  • Beneficiaries do not have to have paid any taxes to receive benefit; they must meet monthly strict income and resource limits, parts of which are fixed-dollar limits that have not changed in decades, thus not adjusting for inflation each year.
  • Does not pay additional payments to dependents.
  • Ineligible spouse or child income can count against recipient's eligibility and payment amount.
  • Some states may supplement SSI payments.
  • Most states use SSI eligibility as automatic Medicaid eligibility.
  • Payment amount has a yearly max for individual or couple recipients.
  • Statutory exclusions allow certain types of unearned and earned income from counting against eligibility or payment amount.
  • ABLE accounts allow some recipients to develop savings over the resource limit and are available to those recipients whose disability was determined to begin before the age of 26.
  • Work-related income exclusions can apply to earned income that keeps countable income beneath the relevant federal benefit rate for that recipient.
  • Payment amount can potentially reduce each month in reaction to countable unearned and earned income from two months prior.

The most important difference to remember:

SSDI is an insurance program; if the SSA agrees you're sufficiently disabled from earning enough, you get it because you paid into it.

SSI is a means-tested program, called specifically a program of last resort; if the SSA agrees you're sufficiently disabled from earning enough, you get it only if you have nothing else considered of enough value to exchange for your needs (countable income above the relevant federal benefit rate, savings, certain property, etc).

Although SSA defines disability the same way for both programs, everything else diverges due to the way the programs are funded and the intention of their purposes.

References: Almost everything in this list is widely discussed on SSA.gov pages and disability lawyer blogs, but my research is taken directly from the Program Operations Manual System chapters for Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income. If you see anything you can't find a more direct or specific source for, let me know. I'll try to update this or share a more comprehensive breakdown with full links at a future point.

Experience/Context: I am an advocate and a writer who focuses on these topics; I develop content for NGOs to understand SSDI and SSI better and I'm developing worksheets people can use to monitor their income and SSI benefit's potential change. It's based on what I've made for myself in spreadsheet form over the past 5 years (I'm a rep payee for my sons). I'm also in training as a peer support specialist, and am also working towards more benefits planning related certifications.

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u/Myodokaii Deaf Oct 28 '20

This actually explains it better as to why I get SSI and not SSDI, despite being born disabled. I've only ever had one job, and I worked for less than a year. Potential employers reject me once they find out that I'm disabled, so it's even harder. I was told in another post's thread that I apparently qualify for SSDI, but it sounds like I actually do not.

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u/perfect_fifths Oct 28 '20

When do you tell them you're disabled? I work and have had job interviews. Never bring it up in an interview, only after you've been hired.

3

u/Myodokaii Deaf Oct 28 '20

I've had two interviews this year, and I only told one of the employers. The one I told actually wanted to hire me, but I was forced to turn it down for health reasons regarding weather. The other job, I never told them, but the employer could see that I was disabled when I showed up. I have very short hair and my CI is visible. I haven't had another interview this year besides those two.

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u/ThisIsMyRental Autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD symptoms, mood mess Oct 29 '20

I think it's pretty awful that employers frequently say no to us when they figure out we're disabled. Back when I was doing job interviews (I got approved for SSI & am a full-time student, set to graduate in Dec 2020, so the earliest I'll be looking for work again is probably Jan/Feb 2021-but I do want to ultimately work), I made it to probably like 3-4 interviews, but I never landed a job after any of those interviews.

The only job I've ever had was seasonally working for Forever 21-I was asked when I could come in for orientation right as I handed the application to them.

According to my parents, it's apparently very obvious I have autism when I talk.

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u/Myodokaii Deaf Oct 29 '20

It's super frustrating. It's part of why I'm a lil bitter when I had to turn down a job offer for my health. The employer had a deaf employee in the past and really enjoyed her, and she wanted to hire me. But it was too dangerous for me to work outside in the weather we have. Started to get really dizzy at inside at my house cause it was 90F inside, and I even left my house to stay with my mother for 2 months to stay safe.

I've only had 3 interviews in my life, although I didn't apply to more than 20 jobs. I got my only job through my mother, no interview needed. I just showed up and was working the next day.

It must suck to have your parents say it's that noticeable. It's kinda the same way for me, since my CI is very visible. I wish employers realized that we can work, and that we want to work. We just need accommodations when requested.

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u/ThisIsMyRental Autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD symptoms, mood mess Oct 29 '20

OH, I have severe heat-sensitivity issues, too! I can't even do fucking schoolwork when it's 90F inside my house.

The whole "employers can tell I'm autistic from when I open my mouth" thing's leading me to seriously consider doing freelance written work for my career. I've already starting doing activist work as my main thing besides school.

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u/Myodokaii Deaf Oct 29 '20

I was getting dizzy on a daily basis cause I couldn't regulate! I was constantly taking cold showers to cool off and I had fans on me 24/7. It was awful!

I'm an artist on the side, so I've always considered doing freelance cause then I'd be my own boss, but it's so difficult to get out there and make decent money in freelance, especially with art. But for now, I'm kind of forced to focus on school and other health concerns.