A question frequently asked by HIV-positive people who are receiving Social Security benefits is "What is the difference between SSI and SSDI?"

What is SSI?

SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. This is a program that was set up for people who become disabled but who have not worked enough quarters to have paid enough money into the Social Security system to be eligible for SSDI. This is also a program that disabled children can get on even though they have never worked.

People who receive SSI can never have more than $2,000 in assets, which would mean money in the bank or in stocks or bonds. When someone is approved for SSI he or she also automatically receives Medicaid, which pays for medications, inpatient and emergency room hospital bills, and doctor visits. Medicaid also pays for a wheelchair or a hospital bed with a doctor's order.

What is SSDI?

SSDI, which stands for Social Security Disability Income, is based on the amount of money a person has earned during the years that they have worked. People have to work a certain amount of quarters to qualify for SSDI. The amount of SSDI received varies from person to person, depending on the amount of money they have paid into the Social Security system.

When someone is approved for SSDI, they will be eligible for Medicare in two years. Medicare is a federally funded program, but Medicaid is a state funded program. People traveling from state to state can use Medicare benefits in any state, but Florida Medicaid can only be used in the state of Florida. Also, SSDI is not based on accumulated assets. SSDI recipients can have money in the bank, own a car, or own a home. The value of each of these does not matter. > What if someone is receiving SSI and SSDI?

This happens to people who have worked a certain amount of quarters and have paid into the Social Security system, but the amount of money does not equal the amount that even people on SSI are getting. Then the claimant also gets SSI to bring the amount of money received up to the amount that people on SSI are getting.

Here's an example: A person receives $300 a month SSDI. They will also get a check for $200 a month which brings them up to $500, which is the amount people on SSI receive. To receive the SSI check a claimant must also be under the $2,000 asset limit, or they would be ineligible for SSI.

Anyone who gets both SSI and SSDI also gets Medicaid, and then in two years they are eligible for Medicare.

Also check these sites:

Unofficial site of Gulf Coast Community Care

"21st century HIV" Ezine

email: [email protected]

Gulf Coast Community Care's New Directions program

New Directions has a positive debut
Faith Hope and Love
Finding hope at New Directions
Where are New Directions Program graduates now?

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