About
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs help people who meet Social Security’s requirements for disability. The SSDI program pays benefits to you and certain family members if you are “insured.” This means that you worked long enough–and recently enough–and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings. The SSI program pays benefits to adults and children who meet our requirements for a qualifying disability and have limited income and resources.
Helpful Tips
- While these two programs are different, the medical requirements are the same. If you meet the nonmedical requirements, monthly benefits are paid if you have a medical condition expected to last at least one year or result in death.
- The application process, information about response time, how to appeal the decision and more can be found on the Social Security Disabilities webpage.
- Find the phone number for your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office here.
- Contact the SSA office by completing this online form.