- In addition to the medical qualifications for Social Security Disability, there can also be financial aspects to qualification, depending on the type of Social Security Disability you are seeking. There are three types of Social Security Disability available depending on your work history. There is “Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI),” “Supplemental Security Income (SSI),” and a “Concurrent Claim” which is both SSDI and SSI. For SSDI, there is no asset qualification. However, for SSI or the Concurrent Claim, you will not qualify for benefits if you have non-exempt assets valued at $2,000 or more. Your home and your car are normally considered exempt assets that will not count against you. This is a generalization, and there are other income limitations and “resource” limitations may affect your SSDI, SSI or Concurrent benefits as well.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a Federal disability insurance program. When you work as an employee, a small portion of your income pays into the SSDI program and if you have worked long enough to qualify for benefits, and if your disability arises while you are still covered by SSDI, you can qualify for SSDI benefits. The SSDI benefits generally pay a higher income and provide for better medical benefits.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program designed to help older, blind or disabled people who have little or no income and few resources. SSI provides cash to meet basic needs for food clothing and shelter. Because of the asset limits and income limits, even if you are disabled you will not qualify for SSI if you own too many non-exempt assets or have someone helping provide for your financial support.
- A “Concurrent Claim” is when you qualify for SSDI benefits, but your benefit amount is lower than the SSI amount and you also qualify for SSI. This allows you to receive both SSDI and SSI to assure that your overall income is at least equal to the base level of SSI income.
- While SSDI, SSI and Concurrent Claims are different when it comes to income and asset eligibility and the monthly benefit amounts, the medial requirements for determining if you are disabled are the same.