Are SSI and SSDI Both Social Security Disability Benefits?

Q: Can the outcome of a social security disability case be affected by the employment record of an applicant?

A: Past employment is important to your disability case. Determining whether social security disability insurance should be given is in part dependent upon the work a person could do, in spite of his current medical condition. The disability examiner for your case will, therefore, look at your employment record to see the types of work you have performed in the past. In addition, your work history will also help the examiner for your case know if you can perform other types of work. To make social security disability claims less subjective, a set of guidelines were established to help the case manager determine the eligibility of an applicant. The age of an applicant, academic history and limitations caused by the medical condition are all factored in. The medical vocational grid aids the examiner in establishing whether an applicant can perform a job he has had previously or other work. The medical vocational grid still leaves a lot of room for error. The limitations of a condition and the need for social security disability insurance are very difficult to fit into a simple set of guidelines. The claims manager will still need to use some common sense and subjectivity to determine if a person can perform work. Your work history is a significant factor to your case.

Q: What is the difference between SSI and SSDI?

A: SSDI and SSI are disability benefits, but they are quite different in their requirements. To be eligible for SSDI, or Social Security Disability Insurance, an applicant must have been in the workforce long enough to have accrued enough work credits for benefits. Individuals who fall below certain income and resource limits can qualify for SSI or Supplemental Security Income benefits. An applicant for SSI need not have been in the workforce for a certain amount of time to be eligible for benefits.

Q: What is the average wait for an initial claim to be processed?

A: For applications that are complete and filed appropriately, the usual turnaround time for the initial review process is 3 or 4 months. Lack of medical information is the biggest reason many applications take more time than the average. To lessen the likelihood that your case will take longer than the average, make sure the examiner handling your application has all the necessary items to review your case. If your application was denied social security disability benefits after the first review step, your next steps would be filing for reconsideration and, eventually, an appeal for a hearing. Having a case reconsidered and heard before an administrative judge will make your claim take even longer. Many cases have been in the process for 2 years by the time they are heard.

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