What Are the Differences & Similarities of SSDI & SSI?
Being disabled due to a physical injury or a mental health condition can leave you in a position that makes it hard to survive. If you cannot work due to your health condition, you may need to try to take advantage of some governmental programs available for people in this position. People in this position often look into social security disability income (SSDI) or supplemental security income (SSI). Here are several things you should understand about these two types of assistance offered through the government.
Both Are Available to Help Qualifying Individuals
Both of these programs were created by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to help people financially who cannot provide for themselves. These two programs are just a couple different types of resources people can utilize when they need financial help; however, a person must apply for these resources, and the person will only begin receiving the services if the SSA approves them. When approved for the services, people will receive financial benefits to help them pay their rent, utilities, and other basic types of bills in life, such as groceries and gas.
SSDI Is for People Who Have Worked for Many Years
SSDI and SSI are similar in many ways, but they are different in many ways too. One key difference with these two programs is the people they are there to help. SSDI is a program that helps people who have spent years working but are now unable to work and earn income due to an injury or mental health disorder of some kind. People who qualify for this have spent years paying into the social security program, and the money they receive after getting approved for SSDI comes from the funds they have deposited into the SSA over the years.
SSI Is for People Who Haven't Worked & Payed into the Fund
SSI, on the other hand, is a program the government offers to people who are considered very poor and have not worked for many years. People in this category may have mental illnesses or physical injuries of some kind, but they are people who have never been able to work. They can be young individuals or people who are older, but they must be able to prove that they cannot work in order to qualify for SSI benefits.
Having a Lawyer Improves Your Chances of Qualifying
The other similarity with these programs is that having a lawyer will help improve your chances of qualifying for benefits under both SSI and SSDI. While you can attempt to apply for benefits on your own, most people get turned down on their first attempt. In fact, even if you have a lawyer helping you, you might get denied benefits on your first try; however, lawyers are persistent, and they know how to get cases approved.
The best part about hiring a lawyer for help is that you typically have nothing to lose. Most lawyers that specialize in social security benefits do not charge upfront fees for their services. Instead, they charge a percentage of the backpay they help people receive. If you end up hiring a lawyer and find out that you do not qualify for services, you will probably owe the lawyer nothing for the help he or she offered throughout your case. Additionally, there are limits, which means that lawyers can charge a percentage, but they cannot collect over a certain dollar amount from a person.
If you believe that you are eligible for social security SSI or SSDI, hire a lawyer today to help you. Your lawyer can determine if you are eligible or not and will help you through the entire process.
