Claimants are often confused between the difference between Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). While both SSI and SSDI disability programs offer cash benefits for disabled individuals, the financial eligibility requirements are very different.
*Social Security Disability is available to individuals who accumulated enough work credits. Generally speaking, you need 40 work credits with 20 of those credits earned in the last 10 years and ending with the year you became disabled. If you have worked 5 out of the last 10 years, you likely have enough work credits to qualify for disability benefits, however, there are exceptions.
*Supplemental Security Income is a strictly need-based program and is available to disabled individuals who have never worked, who are making under the income limit for SSI, or have not earned enough work credits.