Hello, This is great to be able to get a question answered without going through a lot of red tape. My question is i have been on Disibility due to several medical resons. i have been receiving ss disability only. i would like to know what ssi is and if i would qulify. I receive 728.00 monthly. i have purchased a home last year through metro and receive help toward the mortgage through metro, but as you can see surviving on this income is very hard. I receive 10.00 per month in food stamps. i have medicare part d. and i’m on spend down with medicade of 177.00 per month if i need other medical such as a denist. which i cann’t afford. again i don’t know what ssi is and if i would qualify Thank you

Shirley

Jonathan Ginsberg responds: Shirley, thank you for your question. Unfortunately, I do not have the answer you want. SSDI (Disability) and SSI are two of the disability programs operated by the Social Security Administration. SSDI is for people who have paid into the system enough to be “insured” for Disability. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is basically a welfare program that pays a small monthly benefit to people who do not have enough credits to qualify for SSDI.

SSI benefits are subject to offset from other sources of income as well as resources. Also, the SSI benefit is set by statute – whereas SSDI payments are usually larger and represent a calculation arising from funds paid in to the system. If you are getting $728, it is likely that your SSDI will totally offset your eligibility for SSI. Basically, SSA pays you the higher of the two benefits for which you are eligible. Usually that is going to be SSDI.

You can certainly call your local SSA office to ask, but I suspec that you will be disqualified for SSI because of your SSDI income.

–Jonathan