What's the difference with SSD (Social Security Disability), and SSI (Supplemental Security Income)?

[Lil Missy]

I am 52 years old and applied for disability back in early October. After that I had an Intensive Care hospitalization for kidney failure, and of course they decided to get the records for that. I have other major disorders as well

Then, they asked for a follow up with my Dr, which they would pay for. He had already sent them a report telling them I had progressively gotten worse over the years, would never get better, would probably get worse, and could not work anymore. It took another month to get to see him again, and he was pretty positive at the time that his next report would get the disability approved.

I am cautiously optimistic that I will get an approval in a couple weeks, but I would like to know more about what qualifies one for SSD as opposed to SSI. My Dr. didn't know the difference, and it is a major concern with me since SSD would pay double what SSI would. And which also makes a major difference with whether I can keep up my house payments, bills, meds, etc.

If it makes any difference, I live in Iowa now, and that is where I applied.

I would appreciate any clarifications between SSD and SSI from others with experience in this.

And maybe I should have posted this in GD? I wasn't sure .... ??? I can ask to have it moved there if appropriate.

PS - I cross posted this in GD because I wasn't sure where to post it.

[Mojorabbit]

1. I am on SSD (as I have multiple sclerosis)

which also gives me medicare for insurance. I remember them asking me if I wanted to also apply for SSI but if I remember correctly you had to have almost no assets to qualify and I have assets.You can have both SSD and SSI if you have little to no assets. It did take 2 years before the first benefits for ssd came in.

[pinto]

4. Yeah, you can get both -

If someone is SSDI eligible, but the financial disability support is *less than* the base allocation for SSI, you get both.

SSDI comes with Medicare, after a period of continuing disability. SSI doesn't have that provision.

SSI, in most states, is in itself eligibility for Medicaid.

Again, a Social Security rep can clarify both - 800-772-1213.

[Lil Missy]

7. Thanks.

In my case, the SSD is double what the SSI would be. And I sure do need the medical coverage.

[pinto]

8. Hang in there.

:thumbsup:

[Lil Missy]

5. Really? I had no idea you could qualify for both.

I own a house and a car, so I doubt I would qualify as someone without assets. I do need the medical coverage that comes with SSD though.

Thanks.

[charlyvi]

13. The house you live in and one auto are excluded resources

That is, if the car is necessary. e.g. dr's visits, grocery store trips. etc.

On edit: It your Social Security disability is $657.00 per month or over, you do not qualify for SSI based on income, in most states. Some states add to the federal benefit rate, so your Social Security could be a bit higher and you could still qualify. Those states are ones where the cost of living is higher. California, Massachusetts, New York, etc.

[Lil Missy]

14. I qualify for much more than $657 on SSD. And it would be enough to get by.

But also good to know that the car and house would not count against me in any determination.

Thanks

[pinto]

2. SSDI is disability based on past earnings. SSI is disability w/out previous, adequate incomes.

Both require medical documentation, earnings history, etc. for a determination.

A Social Security representative can outline the earning requirements for SSDI - they're at 800-772-1213

The big key is to provide *all* documentation to Social Security for their determination.

[loyalsister]

3. federal and state funding

SSA funds social security disability. Aperson who is approved for SSDI is paid according to how many "quarters" of employment they have racked up. SSA pays that full amount.
A person who does not have a sufficient employment history may still be eligible for limited benefits which would also be paid by SSA. If a person is approved for SSI, the state will pay an additional payment that will commonly bring the benefits up to a calculation of the FPL.

[Lil Missy]

6. I have many years of employment, so that is not a problem.

I didn't know you could collect both though.

And I have no idea what the FPL means.

[alfredo]

11. I was getting SSD and disability from the PO minus what I got from SSD.

At 62 I was converted to SSI, plus my disability retirement, minus what I got from SSI.

The Post Office tried to prevent me from getting disability, but I kept good records, got diagnosis from the two top neurosurgeons in Kentucky. I picked them because they were Rivals and never agreed on much of anything. They agreed on my diagnosis. That impressed all concerned. I got my disability and SSD without resorting to a lawyer. It took me three years. If it hadn't been for my union, I'd probably be living on the streets.

Other than keeping good records, the most important thing is to not lose your cool. Always treat the person on the other end of the phone with respect. It works.

[cloudythescribbler]

9. I am on both and ...

If your SSD equals more than the basic amount set for SSI, you will not get SSI and at least MIGHT not get the MedicAid coverage that is so sorely needed. But there is a hugely complex situation for people with SSD payments over the baseline maximum level (under $700 per month) that qualifies one automatically for MedicAid. First, a number of states like MA and CA have statewide health systems into which MedicAid is folded, which cover a LOT of people who are over the MedicAid income maximum. Then there might be federal programs -- such as the possibility of applying for various kinds of grants for treatment or rehabilitative therapy (eg for OCD, which is what I suffer from) and that take the money out of your SSD. It is really a thicket of laws and regulations and programs and grants for which you need a HIGHLY qualified social worker or whatever IN YOUR STATE (as state policies so often differ) to help guide you to getting all the support needed.

This whole mess of a system is exactly why we need a totally new health care system, preferably single payer.

[Wiley50]

10. You need To Check Out the DU Disability Forum, Here's the Link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=250

Lots of Great Info there

Be sure to read this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=250x3165

I'm disabled and on SSI with medicaid

You need to know that although the funds for both SSDI and SSI come from SS

A STATE agency determines whether you are disabled or not and they can be a real bitch,

It took me 3 1/2 years to get mine. Best advice I can give:

Get a disability lawyer... NOW They work on a contingency (don't get paid until or if

they get it for you), so you don't have to worry about paying them.

DO IT NOW! The state agency screwed me out of my SSDI because I didn't have one.

Once I got a lawyer, she took care of everything.

Some states pay extra above base SSI (CA is one) Mine TN does not. Each state is different.

I get $637/mo with totally paid medical incl medicine and NO Co-Pays!

In my shape that is worth more than SSDI and Medicare would be foe me.

Some states it is easier to get disability through than others. Mine TN is a real bitch.

Other than that, just read and post in the Disability Forum. You'll learn a lot.

Good Luck!

[Lil Missy]

12. kick for the Friday night crowd