SSDI vs. SSI: Am I Eligible for Disability Benefits?

SSDI vs. SSI: Am I Eligible for Disability Benefits?

Many people who contact our office have the same basic question:q
“Do I qualify for Social Security Disability benefits?”

The answer depends on which program you are applying for.
There are two main federal disability programs:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

While both require proof of disability, they are very different programs.

Eligibility for SSDI Benefits

SSDI benefits are available to individuals who:

1. Worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough to earn sufficient work credits; and
2. Meet the Social Security Administration’s legal definition of disability.

To decide whether a person is disabled, the SSA follows a five-step sequential evaluation:

Step 1: Are you working and earning above the monthly limit
(about $1,690/month, or $2,830 if blind)?
If yes, you are generally not disabled under SSA rules.

Step 2: Do you have a severe medical impairment?

A severe impairment is any medical condition that:

Significantly limits your ability to perform basic work activities for at least 12 months.

This applies to both physical and mental impairments

Step 3: Does your condition meet or equal a listed impairment
in the federal regulations?
If it does, you are automatically found disabled.  If you are not found to meet or equal a federal listing, then you progress to the next step.

Step 4: Can you still perform your past relevant work
(usually jobs performed within the last 5 years)?

Step 5: Can you perform any other full-time work that exists in significant numbers?

If the answer at Step 5 is no, you may qualify for SSDI benefits.

Eligibility for SSI Benefits

SSI is different. It is a needs-based disability program for:

• Individuals who have not worked long enough to qualify for SSDI
• Disabled children
• Disabled or elderly persons with very limited income and assets

To qualify for SSI, you must:

1. Meet the same disability standard used in SSDI; and
2. Have limited financial resources:
   • $2,000 or less for an individual
   • $3,000 or less for a married couple.

Because SSI is intended as a financial safety net, a person may be found medically disabled but still ineligible if their assets are too high.

Why Many Valid Claims Are Initially Denied

A denial does not mean you are not disabled.

Initial decisions are often made:

• Without complete medical records
• Without detailed opinions from treating doctors
• Without a full understanding of how symptoms limit daily function.

For many people, the best chance of approval comes later in the appeal process—particularly at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

The Bottom Line

Both SSDI and SSI exist to protect people who are unable to sustain full-time work because of serious medical conditions.
Understanding which program applies to you—and proving disability under federal law—can make all the difference in obtaining benefits.

If you are unable to work due to physical or mental health problems, it may be worth learning more about your rights under the Social Security disability system.

If you or a loved one lives in Alabama, you are suffering from the effects  an injury or illess and you believe you are disabled as the result and are entitled to Social Security Disability or SSI benefits, don’t give up. Please feel free to contact one of the experienced Alabama Disability Attorneys at Powell and Denny today for a free consultation, and remember, virtual appointments are available through Zoom so you can meet with one of the attorneys of Powell and Denny from wherever you live.  And remember, there is no fee unless you are awarded.

Powell and Denny: We Work When You Can’t

Offices in Huntsville, AL and Hoover, AL

 

Alabama Disability Attorneys

Birmingham Social Security Disability Attorneys

Central Alabama Social Security Lawyers

Hoover Social Security Disability Lawyers

Huntsville Social Security Disability Attorneys

North Alabama Social Security Disability Lawyers

Tennessee Valley Social Security Disability Lawyers

 

Powell and Denny have been selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report for each of the last 7 years, have been selected as one of Birmingham’s Top Lawyers by B-Metro Magazine for the last 3 years, have been selected by The National Advocates as one of the Top 20 Workers’ Compensation Firms (plaintiffs) and Powell and Denny, P.C.-has been selected as one of the “Best of the Best” law firms by The American Registry

Mr. Denny is AV rated by Martindale Hubbard (the highest rating possible) and Mr. Powell has been rated as Superior by The National Registry and selected as a Lawyer of Distinction.

+ Powell and Denny have successfully represented injured workers from Birmingham, Huntsville, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Athens, Decatur, Town Creek Ardmore, Hartselle, Madison, Toney, Scottsboro, Ft. Payne, New Hope, Guntersville, Albertville, Boaz, Ashville, Anniston, Gadsden, Cullman, Jasper, Gardendale, Morris, Kimberly, Centerpoint, Leeds, Tarrant City, Fairfield, Hueytown, Bessemer, Adger, Tuscaloosa, Cordova, Alabaster, Pelham, Harpersville, Opelika, Phenix City, Montgomery, Clanton, Calera, Enterprise, Monroeville, Mobile, Evergreen, Centreville, Brent, West Blocton, Woodstock, Brierfield, Lakeview and towns and cities in between.

SSDI vs. SSI: Am I Eligible for Disability Benefits