Understanding SSI and SSD

SSI and SSD(I). It’s so hard to keep them straight. Especially since SSDI is often referred to (including by us) as SSD.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a disability-based income program that requires recipients to meet financial eligibility tests. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI or SSD) is also a disability-based program but does not require that the recipient meet income or asset eligibility tests.

The definition of “disability” for SSI and SSD is identical. But only the former program has a $2,000 cap on available resources. And if an SSD recipient has thousands of dollars of investment income every month, they can still qualify for benefits. That’s not true for SSI.

You can see why the programs are confusing, and why recipients have a hard time figuring out the eligibility rules. In this week’s podcast episode, we try to uncomplicate the programs to help you understand them.