| Social Security Disability (sometimes called SSDI) and | | | | record. You only have to show you are disabled. But |
| SSI are confused by many people. I have been a | | | | SSI is a welfare program and even though its full |
| Virginia Disability Lawyer for over 30 years. None of | | | | name is Supplemental Security Income it probably |
| my clients know the difference between the | | | | should have been called "Welfare Disability." As a |
| programs. These are the most important differences | | | | welfare program, there is a means test. This means |
| between these programs:First, in order to obtain | | | | even if you are disabled you cannot receive SSI if |
| Social Security Disability, you must have an earnings | | | | you have either assets or income. In 2006, you |
| record and show you are disabled. Housewives come | | | | cannot have more than $2,000.00 in cash assets and |
| to me and say "Why cannot I get disability?" I reply, | | | | expect to qualify for SSI. The same housewife who |
| "Where is your earnings record?" Self-employed | | | | could not obtain Social Security may also not be able |
| people call me and say, "Where is my disability?" I | | | | to obtain SSI because (1) she has other unearned |
| respond, "Did you ever file taxes and pay into Social | | | | income; (2) her husband has too much income; and |
| Security?" People who are paid in cash or under the | | | | (3) she or her husband has too many assets.Third, |
| table contact me and request Social Security. I say, | | | | the Social Security benefit is dependent on the |
| "You only get out what you paid in, it is not a free | | | | earnings the worker paid in and could be as high as |
| ride."Second, for SSI, you do not need an earnings | | | | $2,053.00 per month. |