Social Security Disability Insurance
SSDI is generally based on a worker’s covered earnings and work credits. A claimant usually must prove disability began while insured. The date coverage expires is commonly called the date last insured.
Two federal disability programs
SSDI and SSI use the same disability standard but different nonmedical rules.
Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income often appear together, but eligibility is not interchangeable. A claimant may qualify for SSDI, SSI, or a concurrent claim involving both programs. The medical question may be similar while insured status, income, resources, payment calculations, and health-coverage consequences differ.
Supplemental Security Income
SSI is a need-based program for people who are aged, blind, or disabled and who meet income and resource requirements. Prior work is not required in the same way it is for SSDI.
Issues that should be checked early.
Insured status
Confirm whether the earnings record supports SSDI coverage and identify the date last insured.
Income and resources
SSI eligibility can change because of household income, support, bank balances, property, or other resources.
Concurrent claims
Some claimants can receive both SSDI and SSI for overlapping periods, subject to offset and payment rules.
Onset date
The chosen onset date should be legally supportable and consistent with work activity, medical evidence, and program rules.
Medicare and Medicaid
Health coverage depends on the program, the state, waiting periods, and other eligibility rules.
Past-due benefits
Payment periods and attorney-fee withholding differ by program and case history.
Official sources and further reading
- SSA: How Social Security benefits and SSI differ
- SSA: Supplemental Security Income overview
- SSA: Disability benefits
Links open official government resources. This page provides general information and is not a substitute for advice about an individual claim.
When winning means everything
Talk with an Atlanta Social Security disability lawyer.
Call about an application, denial, appeal, hearing, or deadline. Do not send a Social Security number through the website form.
