Houston Social Security
Disability Attorney

Photo of David Dopkin
Photo of David Dopkin

Social Security disability versus Supplemental Security Income

On Behalf of | Nov 16, 2017 | Supplemental Security Income

It’s reasonably well-known that Social Security disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income are federal programs that help people living with disabilities that make it impossible for them to work. Many people in Texas may not be aware of the differences between the programs. How does SSD differ from SSI? This blog post will provide some information on the similarities and differences between the two programs.

First, the similarities. Each program is administered by the Social Security Administration. Each program’s goal is to supplement the income of beneficiaries who cannot work because of a medical disability. And each program is funded by taxpayers’ dollars.

There are a number of differences between the two programs, however. Social Security disability operates like an insurance program. Benefits are available to workers who have paid into the system with their payroll taxes. If the worker has been paying into the system long enough, and if the worker has been diagnosed with a disabling condition that meets the government’s requirements, the worker may be eligible to seek Social Security disability benefits.

Supplemental Security Income operates more like a traditional government human services program. It is not necessary for beneficiaries to have paid into the system for a certain period of time. Rather, the SSI program is funded by federal government revenue, not payroll tax revenue. SSI functions like a safety net to assist people who are not eligible for Social Security disability.

Each program exists to help disabled individuals with their day-to-day expenses. Each program has a sometimes-complex application procedure. Each program offers rejected claimants a number of ways to appeal their rejection.