Category: Daily Living
If this is the wrong board, please move it.
Anyway, here's my question:
What is the difference between SSI and SSDI, and howdoes one qualify for either source?
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) differs from Social Security Income (SSI) in many ways. One can only recieve SSDI for a few reasons such as having a perminant disability. SSDI is also based on a points system. The points system is based on how many quorters one has worked. The more quorters one has worked, the more they have paid into the system. Consoquently, the more they get on checks. That is why some people on SSDI get more in their monthly benifit amount than others. Applying for SSI or SSDI can be done on line at, www.ssa.gov. If you want to speak to a person, call toll free, 1 800 772 1213. You may experience longer than normal hold times at the beginning of the month, and at the beginning of the week.
No, I don't think this is the wrong board for this question.
Nem does have it right, but I think I can add some details. SSDI stands for Social Security Disability Insurance, I believe. Because SSDI is based on your past work experiences, some of its rules are different. You can work while you're on it, and earn up to about 1,600 dollars per month without getting your SSDI taken away. that amount is higher for blind people than it is for most other disabilities. Not sure why, but it is. Even if you're earning more than that, they give you a trial work period of nine months before they take it away from you. SSDI also makes you eligible for Medicare, which is basically a national insurance program. It pays 80% of your medical bills, and has a monthly premium, just as any other insurance would.
SSI stands for supplemental security income. It's based strictly on one's income per month. If you're deemdd low income, you can qualify for this. Generally, an unemployed blind person will. How much you get in monthly benefits depends on your income, but I think the most you'll see on SSI is about 650 per month or so. Some states have their own additional blindness benefit they'll tack onto that, but not all. When you're on SSI, you're also automatically eligible for MedicAid, or Title 19. This is run state to state. It pretty much covers your medical costs too, but is harder to find doctors who take it. If you're on SSI, don't plan on saving money in any bank account, either. If they think you have 2,000 dollars in resources, they'll take it away. And, this goes away pretty much the second you start working.
I also find it far more helpful to deal with my local Social Security office as opposed to the national one. If you need help getting the number to your local office, I could help you locate it. I find the local offices are often more friendly, and more knowledgeable, than the national one.
Hope all that helps, and is not too confusing.
Sister Dawn has it right about the acranyms. It was too early in the morning when I responded to the post. I believe that one can find the number to their local office on the website, www.ssa.gov. One can also call the national number, but that's a very long time to stay on hold for a phone number.
Thanks for adding the rest of the details and correcting my mistakes.
Nem
If I'm not mistaken, one can call the national office, and use the automated system to get the info for their local office by entering their zip code. Usually automated systems piss me off, but in this case, it's helpful. That way there's no hold time. LOL.
Hey all! Thanks for all of the good info on SSI. I know this gets off from the original question, but does anyone know what the full or maximum amount of SSI is in North Carolina? Also, can a parent who is blind and gets SSI also get money for their dependents, such as if they have a child? One of my relatives who lives in NC insists that a parent also can get a check for their child, but I was told by someone else that that is not true, only if the child is disabled, but if it is only the parent that is disabled only the parent gets SSI.
Sorry for changing the topic a little, but I thought I would go ahead and ask since the topic of SSI has been brought up.
Thanks,
Misty
If you are an imigrant, do you qualify for either of these?
I don't think, as a blind parent, that you can get SSI for your child if they are not disabled. I know there are programs to aid unemployed parents, but I dont think the money comes in the child's name. Don't quote me on that, though.
I have no idea if imigrants qualify for programs like this or not. I'll only state my opinion. If someone has imigrated here legally and has their citizenship, then yes, they should qualify. If, on the other hand, someone is an illegal imigrant, then no, they should not be getting any assistance from our government.
I just ask because I'm currently in the process of moving, but only with a visa right now. I'm sure I'll apply for duel citizenship once I'm comfortably settled, but for now, I'll only have a work visa. I've looked into places where I could work, and there's a lot of organizations that would hire me on as a full-time worker, but none have guaranteed me a position so far, and I'm a little nervous about being denied, and therefore, having no income.
I can speak for SSDI as I was on it a year. You can get some for your child but you must prove you're not using it to buy dope or whatever, I'm sure that's what they're probably looking for anyway, and all I did was set up a separate account her money went into, kept a spreadsheet for it in Excel and when they asked me about it I told her / showed them the spreadsheet. If you're thorough like that they'll be easy to deal with I think. That is if you've worked though, and from your posts you sound pretty young so think you're better off trying SSI but don't really know.
As far as I know, you can get Welfare for your kids. It just goes in their name and you are not apart of it. For example, I get it forthe kids and the reasonI can't be on their daycare program if I'm working is because they consider me (because I'm on SSI) almost as nonexistant when it comes to their income. It's hard to explain... But no, I can't get SSI for them, at least as far as I know and I wouldn't even try. I'mon AFDC until my husband or I can get a job and get them off.
Okay, as far as I know, one can still work and receive SSI, if they're blind. This is based upon income though. Blind people can earn more than others and not be penalized. They can write off work-related expenses. Yeah, about that resource crap. I have an IRA from work, and I'm not sure what I'm gonna do when it reaches $2000.
What would everyong think of an SSI system, that is like TANF, whereby participants would be eligible for only 5 years or so. The guidelines being that one had to apply for work, or be in school, or a work-training program. Just curious. In some ways, this makes sense. What are your thoughts?
I meant to clarify, that SSI is decreased when income from work reaches a certain level. I'm not sure what the monthly amount is before it gets totally yanked altogether.
I will answer this SSI question, if you make more then 1000 a month then it ges cut off. well this has been my personal experences. this has happen to me and my wife, now we just get ssdi and my pay check. to bee up front, i am so... glad i am off ssi.