The Social Security Administration oversees the qualification and distribution of benefits for millions of Americans. The largest part of this job is overseeing the retirement benefits aspect of Social Security. However, there are two other programs that many of our Los Angeles readers may be familiar with: Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income. But do most people know the difference between these two programs?
A recent article attempted to explain the difference between SSD benefits and SSI benefits. How a person can qualify for these benefits is the main difference between them. Put simply, a person who has a work history and who has developed a disability of some kind will usually be applying for SSD benefits. Social Security Disability has very specific work qualifications that must be met as an initial threshold for qualifying for benefits.
Applying for SSI benefits, on the other hand, is mostly focused on the applicant’s income and financial resources – or lack thereof, to be precise. This is why oftentimes disabled children will qualify for SSI benefits instead of SSD benefits – the children don’t have a work history, but if their family is below the financial threshold they will have a chance to qualify for benefits.
There are many other differences between these two programs. For anyone in the Los Angeles area who may believe that they or a family member might qualify for benefits from either program due to a disability or medical condition, it can be a good idea to get more information about the available options.
Source: www.dailylocal.com, “SSD or SSI: There are major differences,” March 9, 2015
