There are two types of Social Security benefits provided for people who can’t work due to disability. They both offer monthly financial help, but the qualifications for receiving them are different. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people who have worked fairly recently and paid into the system. These people may have become disabled, and their inability to work is made up for by monthly checks that equal a percentage of their regular income.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is reserved for individuals who have not worked or paid into the Social Security fund in years, if ever. It is designed to help disabled people meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. To be eligible, your income and assets must be below certain levels. If you qualify, the basic monthly SSI amount is $841 in 2022.
The SSA will look at your assets when determining your eligibility for SSI. The total possible asset limit is $2,000 or $3,000 for a married couple. This is in addition to the income limit. Some assets are not counted by the SSA at all against the asset limit, including:
- A vehicle
- A home
- Household goods and personal effects
Concurrent Benefits
Receiving both types of benefits is possible. To qualify, your monthly SSDI payment must be lower than the current SSI amount, $841.
How To Qualify
In order to qualify for SSDI and SSI, you must first be eligible medically. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will use the same disability evaluation process for both benefit determinations. The SSA has a list of conditions that it considers severe enough to warrant disability benefits. If you do not qualify under this list of conditions, you can still be found disabled if you are unable to work full-time.
Although it is not easy to qualify for both types of benefits, it is possible. If you have questions about how you may be eligible, call Drew L. Johnson, P.C. Attorneys at Law, at (541) 434-6466 today.
