Is It Harder To Get SSI or SSDI: Which Benefit You Should Apply For
Do you have a disability and wonder: “Is it harder to get SSI or SSDI?”
Most people in your position don’t know which disability benefits program they should apply for.
They question which program would give them more money and which application process is more straightforward.
Some individuals are recommended to apply for both benefits, which tends to raise even more doubts among claimants.
At our disability law firm in Indianapolis, we hear such concerns every day. We understand our clients’ worries. The disability benefits process can be complex and confusing, even before applying.
In this article, our team will discuss SSDI and SSI and their unique challenges and hurdles. Additionally, we’ll tell you what it takes to get approved for disability benefits and help you find out if you can apply for both programs.
Understanding SSDI: Who Is Eligible for This Benefit?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) issues several programs that offer financial and medical help to individuals with disabilities.
One of their most popular programs is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
SSDI provides monthly payments and Medicare health insurance to citizens who can no longer work due to a health impairment.
The SSA has stringent criteria that all applicants must meet to receive SSDI benefits:
- You must have a qualifying disability.
- Your disability prevents you from performing your old job or getting a new one.
- The disability is expected to last 12 months or longer.
- You have enough work credits.
Let’s explain those criteria a bit further…
To qualify for SSDI, you must have a health condition that falls under the SSA’s definition of disability:
“…the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a physical or mental impairment.”
Therefore, your disability has to hinder your ability to perform your job.
Additionally, SSDI is a long-term benefit; that means your impairment must be expected to last at least a year to qualify.
Finally, to get approved, you must have collected enough work credits through Social Security taxes. For SSDI, applicants need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years.
How Does SSI Work?
What happens if you haven’t worked long enough to earn sufficient work credits? Or if your past jobs didn’t count toward Social Security benefits?
The SSA provides another program for applicants who don’t have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) offers monthly financial assistance for individuals who don’t meet SSDI standards.
Both disability programs have very similar eligibility criteria. They share the same definition of disability, and the application process is the same.
So, what is the main difference between SSDI and SSI? The claimant’s income and resources.
SSI was designed to assist individuals with low or no income and resources (assets). To qualify, you must meet a monthly income limit. As of 2024, $1,971 per month for an individual and $2,915 per month for couples. Exceeding that cap will automatically disqualify you.
SSI applicants will also face rejection if they have significant assets ($2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple). Assets are anything of value you own and can turn into cash (not including your house or vehicle).
Is It Harder To Get SSI or SSDI?
One question we often hear at our disability law firm is: “Is it harder to get SSI or SSDI?”
We’ll give you the same answer we tell our clients: both application processes are equally challenging.
Applying for disability benefits, either SSDI or SSI, is a lengthy, time-consuming process. The amount of documents and paperwork applicants must fill in and submit is vast. People without proper legal knowledge can quickly feel overwhelmed.
What makes getting disability benefits challenging? Proving you have a qualifying disability.
Both benefit programs share the same definition of disability; therefore, proving that you are eligible for the SSA will require the same amount of effort.
Regardless of whether you have one of the most approved disabilities or any other medical condition, you must provide strong medical records that support your claim. This is the biggest struggle claimants face.
As for the rest, since the application process and requirements are almost identical, there is no substantial difference between getting SSI or SSDI.
Is It More Challenging to Apply for SSDI or SSI Without a Lawyer?
The SSA doesn’t request applicants to work with an attorney. You can file a claim and fight for your benefits on your own.
However, disability law can quickly become intricate for individuals without legal knowledge.
Even attorneys who don’t specialize in disability law can get tangled in this complex world.
Is it harder to get SSI or SSDI without a lawyer? It can be challenging to attain disability benefits without legal advice.
Given that almost 70% of initial claims are denied each year, you should do everything in your power to enhance your case; applicants’ chances of winning disability with a lawyer increase by 3 times.
Should You Apply for SSDI or SSI? Or Both?
Whether you should apply for SSDI or SSI will depend on your unique circumstances.
You already know that for both programs, you must have a qualifying disability.
- SSDI: You can file a claim for SSDI if you have enough work credits.
- SSI: You can request SSI benefits if you have scarce or no income and resources.
To apply, you can visit the SSA’s website or your local Social Security office.
Can you apply for SSDI and SSI?
Yes, the SSA allows claimants to apply for both disability benefits. Depending on your eligibility, you might have the right to collect both benefits.
This can be highly beneficial, as it usually takes an average of 5 months for SSDI claims to get approved. Conversely, you can get SSI payments as soon as the month after filing the claim.
Applying for both benefits can also help with health care. SSDI beneficiaries are entitled to Medicare, but typically, this coverage doesn’t start until you have received benefits for 24 months. With SSI, you automatically qualify for Medicaid.
To secure both benefits, you must:
- Have limited income and resources.
- Have a work history that paid taxes into the Social Security system.
- Your SSDI benefit is less than the maximum SSI benefit amount.
Veterans Disability Benefits: Can You Get SSDI or SSI?
Veterans who developed a disability, injury, or other health impairment due to their time in military service are entitled to VA disability benefits.
That program is issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which offers monthly tax-free payments to veterans.
VA also has an application process similar to Social Security disability benefits programs.
You can apply online or at your local VA office. Just like for SSDI and SSI, you must support your claim through medical records. For this benefit, you must also prove your health condition developed or worsened while on duty.
The following are the requirements for veterans disability benefits:
- You have a current physical condition (such as an injury or chronic illness) or mental health condition (such as veterans PTSD disability benefits).
- Your medical condition was caused or made worse during your active time in service or training.
Can You Secure VA and Social Security Benefits?
Yes, veterans can get access to VA disability assistance in conjunction with Social Security disability benefits. They can even use Medicare or Medicaid to complement VA health insurance.
There are no rules against getting veterans disability benefits and SSDI or SSI. As long as you meet the criteria for each program, you can apply for all of them.
The definition of disability varies widely from the SSA to the VA; make sure to check each program’s requirements before applying.
A VA claim can last from a couple of months to a year. In the meantime, you can make ends meet with SSDI or SSI monthly payments.
Will Getting VA Reduce My SSDI or SSI Benefits?
Receiving VA won’t affect your SSDI payments. However, since SSI is a needs-based program, your VA check can impact your eligibility or reduce your cash benefit amount.
For instance, VA who qualify for a VA pension won’t be eligible for SSI benefits, as the VA pension surpasses the SSI’s income cap. However, these veterans might still get approved for SSI if they have enough work credits.
The SSA categorizes VA payments as “unearned income.” As such, they will deduct it dollar by dollar from your SSI monthly checks (after a general exclusion of $20).
Let’s showcase this with an example:
Suppose you access partial VA benefits and receive $600 a month. After the general exclusion ($20), you have a total of $580 counted income.
You have also qualified for SSI, receiving the maximum amount of $963 a month. The SSA will reduce $580 from that sum, resulting in a total of $383.
The sum of your VA benefits ($600) + the deducted SSI payment ($383) leaves you with a monthly financial assistance of $983.
4 Ways To Enhance Your Disability Benefits Application
Do you want to ensure a foolproof case? Here are four ways to enhance your SSDI or SSI benefits case:
Don’t Wait To Apply
As soon as your health condition hinders your ability to work, file your disability benefits claim.
What happens if you haven’t started gathering medical evidence?
It can take many months for a new claim to get assigned to a Social Security disability examiner. During that time, applicants can work on collecting medical proof for later submission.
As soon as you file your claim, start gathering medical records; don’t sleep on this crucial task.
Ensure Accurate and Complete Medical Evidence
Having a qualifying disability is not enough to get SSDI or SSI; you must be able to prove it.
The SSA disability examiners will review the medical evidence you submit and decide whether you are entitled to benefits.
Stating, “I have X disability, and it prevents me from working,” won’t do it. The information you provide must be accurate and complete. We are talking about medical records, test results, diagnoses, and medical opinions.
You must also accurately explain how your impairment impacts your ability to work and perform daily life tasks.
Get Legal Help – From The Start
Filing for Social Security disability benefits is a complex process; people are often surprised when their claim is denied.
A professional disability attorney can help you ensure you provide all the necessary information to the SSA. They’ll review your case and provide legal advice to enhance your chances of winning.
Many applications face rejection due to technical errors, such as missing a deadline or forgetting to submit a document.
Lawyers quickly spot gaps in your claim, keep a record of important deadlines, and help build a strong case that leads to the benefits you deserve.
Follow Your Doctor’s Medical Advice
Adherence to medical treatments or rehabilitation will prove that you are trying to improve your health condition. The SSA favors claimants who work towards getting better and returning to work.
Additionally, not following your doctor’s advice or missing medical appointments will suggest your impairment is not so severe. This can quickly disqualify you from SSDI and SSI.
Keep Close Tabs On Your Application
Don’t submit your application and forget about it.
We recommend you keep close tabs on your application during the review process.
Miscommunication, such as a neglected email, can result in a missed deadline and the SSA denying your claim.
Need Help Filing an SSDI or SSI Benefits Claim?
When answering the question, “Is it harder to get SSI or SSDI?” we must admit both programs have some level of complexity.
But is one of these benefits more difficult to attain than the other? Not really. SSDI and SSI have similar eligibility criteria and the same definition of “disability.”
What will make the difference between rejection and winning disability benefits is a strong case.
Do you need assistance filing a Social Security disability benefits claim? Don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation with our firm. Our legal team will gladly review your case and help you secure the financial assistance you are entitled to.
