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