Social Security

What is the difference between Social Security disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

SSD gives money to workers who are disabled. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must have worked long enough to pay a sufficient amount of taxes into the Social Security system. To meet the SSA definition of disabled, you:

• Must not be working
• Must have a severe condition
• Must have a recognized disability
• Must not be able to perform the work you performed previously
• Must not be able to do any other type of work

SSI pays cash benefits to elderly, blind and disabled people to help them pay bills and meet basic needs. SSI is unrelated to Social Security taxes; eligibility is completely need-based.