Author: Attorney Desk Reference Manual
Last updated: December 2004

Overview
Differences Between Social Security Benefits and SSI
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Disability, Retirement and Survivors Benefits
Evaluation of Disability (for SSI and RSDI cases)
Appeals of SSA Decisions
Post-Entitlement Issues
Overpayments

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Overview

The Social Security Administration administers two federal disability programs, Supplemental Security Income (SSI or Title XVI benefits) and Disability Insurance under the Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance program ("disability" or Title II benefits).

• SSI is a need-based federal disability program for low-income persons.
• Title II benefits is an insurance program.  The Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance (RSDI) program pays benefits to disabled workers who have established "insured status", their minor children, survivors and dependents, disabled widow(er)s and disabled adult children based on the worker’s contributions to social security.

Differences Between Social Security Benefits and SSI

Supplemental Security Income (SSI):

• A safety net program, with strict income and asset limits. 
• Financed from federal general revenue funds. 
• Serves aged (Over 65), blind, and disabled persons (no dependents or survivors)

Social Security Benefits:

• An insurance program that covers individuals of all income levels.
• Financed from payroll deductions.
• Serves workers and their dependents and survivors if they have worked enough quarters to be "fully insured", includes retirement and disability benefits.