SSDI and SSI program comparison

The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages two programs that provide benefits based on disability or blindness, the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

 

Source of payments: 

  • SSDI: Disability trust fund.

  • SSI: General tax revenues.

Minimum Initial Qualification Requirements:

  • SSDI: Must meet SSA’s disability criteria. Must be “insured” due to contributions made to FICA based on your own earnings, or those of your spouse or your parents.

  • SSI: Must meet SSA’s disability criteria. Must have limited income and resources.

Health Insurance Coverage Provided:

  • SSDI: Medicare. Consists of hospital insurance (Part A), supplementary medical insurance (Part B), and Medicare Advantage (Part C). Voluntary prescription drug benefits (Part D) are also included. Title XVIII of the Social Security Act authorizes Medicare.

  • SSI: Medicaid. A jointly-funded, Federal- State health insurance program for persons with limited income and resources. It covers certain children, and some or all of the aged, blind, and disabled in a state who are eligible to receive federally-assisted income maintenance payments. Title XIX of the Social Security Act authorizes Medicaid. The law gives the states options regarding eligibility under Medicaid.

How does the SSA figure your monthly payment amount?

  • SSDI: The SSA bases your SSDI monthly payment amount on the worker’s lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security. They may reduce the amount if you receive Workers’ Compensation payments (including Black Lung payments) and/or public disability benefits, for example, certain state and civil service disability benefits. Other income or resources do not affect your payment amount. They usually adjust the monthly payment amount each year to account for cost-of-living changes. The SSA can also pay SSDI monthly benefits to dependents on your record, such as minor children.

  • SSI: To figure your payment amount, the SSA starts with the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). In 2017, the FBR is $735 for a qualified person and $1,103 for a qualified couple. They subtract your countable income from the FBR and then add your state supplement, if any. They do not count all of the income that you have. The income amount left after they make all the allowable deductions is “countable income.” The sections on SSI employment supports explain some of the ways that the SSA can exclude income. They usually adjust the FBR each year to account for cost-of-living changes.

Is a State Supplemental Payment provided?

  • SSDI: There is no state supplemental payment with the SSDI program.

  • SSI: Many states pay some persons who receive SSI an additional amount called a “state supplement.” The amounts and qualifications for these state supplements vary from state to state.

 

Source: Social Security Administration