SSI and SSDI Similarities and Differences

If you have a disability, you may apply to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for disability benefits. If you meet SSA's criteria, you could receive disability benefits and their accompanying medical benefits from one or both of the two disability benefits programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with Medicaid medical benefits, or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) with Medicare. Below is a quick reference guide to some of the similarities and differences between these two programs.

	SSI	SSDI
Also Known As	Supplemental Security Income	Social Security Disability Insurance
Eligibility Criteria	Needs based—must have little or no income and resources	Insured status as a worker, or a child, widow, or widower of an insured worker No resource limits, no limits on unearned income
Monthly Benefit Amounts	Designed to bring income up to Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) of $710 (2013) Check amount depends on: a) living situation, b) earnings, and a) unearned income. Some states supplement the federal amount for some or all living situations.	Either eligible for a full benefit checks or ineligible and receive no benefits. Amount based on: a) earnings history of wage-earner, b) age when benefits begin, and c) number of people in addition to the wage-earner who are receiving benefits. If benefit amount is less than SSI FBR ($710 in 2013), may also be eligible for SSI.
When Checks Arrive	First day of the month; if the 1st is a holiday or weekend, the check arrives on the business day before the 1st	People who qualified for SSDI before May 1997: arrives 3rd of the month Qualified after May 1997 and birthday between: a) 1st -10th: arrives 2nd Wednesday b) 11th - 20th: arrives 3rd Wednesday c) 21st - 31st: arrives 4th Wednesday
Funding Source	Annual Congressional appropriation from the “General Fund”	Social Security Trust Fund, FICA taxes
Laws and Regulations	Title XVI (16) of the Social Security Act (Title 42 US Code, the Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 7, Subchapter XVI) Regulations in 20 CFR; Part 416	Title II (2) of the Social Security Act (Title 42 US Code, The Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 7, Subchapter II) Regulations in 20 CFR, Parts 400 - 499
Medical Benefits	Medicaid eligible in 32 states. In other states must apply separately for Medicaid. Eligible the month of SSI application and possibly three months retroactively	Medicare eligible (Parts A and B), 24 months after person qualifies for SSDI
Monthly Cost (Premium)	None	SSDI recipients with yearly incomes less than $85,000 have $104.90 (2013) deducted from their check each month. If SSDI recipient also receives SSI, then Medicaid will pay the monthly Medicare premium.
Deductible	None, but there may be “cost sharing” instituted by states for various services.	Yes–in 2013 the Part B deductible is $147/ year. If person also receives SSI, Medicaid pays the deductible.
Co-pay	Possibly none, however states may elect to have small co-pays for medications, services, hospitalization.	20% of costs deemed allowable by Medicare; 100% of costs not deemed allowable by Medicare. If person also receives SSI, then Medicaid pays all “co-pays.”
Range of Coverage	Very comprehensive. Generally covers doctor visits; prescriptions; dentures; glasses; hospital, hospice care; home help services/personal care and other costs. Pays Medicare premium for concurrent recipients. Pays premiums for private insurance when cost effective. Coverage may vary from state to state.	Hospital costs primarily. Some home health care and durable medical equipment. Usually does not cover prescriptions, glasses, dentures, day-to-day medical costs, and doctor visits. However, due to recent changes, Medicare will pay for comprehensive care at select clinics, and since 2006 there is a Part D prescription benefit that pays substantial costs for most people.
Proof of Coverage	Card comes monthly. Lists person(s) covered, their recipient ID# for billing, Managed Care Provider, and contract number of other insurance (such as Medicare) that should be billed first.	Permanent wallet sized card–white with red and blue stripe. Names person covered, coverage, and date coverage began.

SSI

SSDI

Also Known As

Supplemental Security Income

Social Security Disability Insurance

Eligibility Criteria

Needs based—must have little or no income and resources

Insured status as a worker, or a child, widow, or widower of an insured worker
No resource limits, no limits on unearned income

Monthly Benefit Amounts

Designed to bring income up to Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) of $710 (2013)
Check amount depends on:
a) living situation,
b) earnings, and
a) unearned income.
Some states supplement the federal amount for some or all living situations.

Either eligible for a full benefit checks or ineligible and receive no benefits.
Amount based on:
a) earnings history of wage-earner,
b) age when benefits begin, and
c) number of people in addition to the wage-earner who are receiving benefits.
If benefit amount is less than SSI FBR ($710 in 2013), may also be eligible for SSI.

When
Checks Arrive

First day of the month; if the 1st is a holiday or weekend, the check arrives on the business day before the 1st

People who qualified for SSDI before May 1997: arrives 3rd of the month
Qualified after May 1997 and birthday between:
a) 1st -10th: arrives 2nd Wednesday
b) 11th - 20th: arrives 3rd Wednesday
c) 21st - 31st: arrives 4th Wednesday

Funding Source

Annual Congressional appropriation from the “General Fund”

Social Security Trust Fund, FICA taxes

Laws and Regulations

Title XVI (16) of the Social Security Act (Title 42 US Code, the Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 7, Subchapter XVI)
Regulations in 20 CFR; Part 416

Title II (2) of the Social Security Act (Title 42 US Code, The Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 7, Subchapter II)
Regulations in 20 CFR, Parts 400 - 499

Medical Benefits

Medicaid eligible in 32 states.
In other states must apply separately for Medicaid.
Eligible the month of SSI application and possibly three months retroactively

Medicare eligible (Parts A and B), 24 months after person qualifies for SSDI

Monthly Cost (Premium)

None

SSDI recipients with yearly incomes less than $85,000 have $104.90 (2013) deducted from their check each month. If SSDI recipient also receives SSI, then Medicaid will pay the monthly Medicare premium.

Deductible

None, but there may be “cost sharing” instituted by states for various services.

Yes–in 2013 the Part B deductible is $147/ year. If person also receives SSI, Medicaid pays the deductible.

Co-pay

Possibly none, however states may elect to have small co-pays for medications, services, hospitalization.

20% of costs deemed allowable by Medicare; 100% of costs not deemed allowable by Medicare. If person also receives SSI, then Medicaid pays all “co-pays.”

Range of Coverage

Very comprehensive. Generally covers doctor visits; prescriptions; dentures; glasses; hospital, hospice care; home help services/personal care and other costs. Pays Medicare premium for concurrent recipients. Pays premiums for private insurance when cost effective. Coverage may vary from state to state.

Hospital costs primarily. Some home health care and durable medical equipment. Usually does not cover prescriptions, glasses, dentures, day-to-day medical costs, and doctor visits. However, due to recent changes, Medicare will pay for comprehensive care at select clinics, and since 2006 there is a Part D prescription benefit that pays substantial costs for most people.

Proof of Coverage

Card comes monthly. Lists person(s) covered, their recipient ID# for billing, Managed Care Provider, and contract number of other insurance (such as Medicare) that should be billed first.

Permanent wallet sized card–white with red and blue stripe. Names person covered, coverage, and date coverage began.

To apply for Social Security benefits, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213. You may access Social Security Administration publications through SSA's website at http://www.ssa.gov

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SSI and SSDI Similarities and Differences