FYI - Differences between SSDI and SSI/SSP

[Guest guest]

Since we are discussing applying for Social Security Disability, I

thought I would toss in the differences between the different types

of disability benefits, and the acronyms:

SSA - Social Security Administration

OASDI - Old Age Survivors Disability Insurance

SSDI - Social Security Disability Insurance

SSI - Supplemental Security Income

SSP - State Supplemental Payment

Medicare - The Federal Health Care program for people receiving Old

Age or Disability Insurance.

Medicaid - The State run Health Care program for Children, Disabled,

and people over 65 years of age.

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SSA is the Federal Agency that administers the Social Security

programs. Disability portions of SSA are determined by State

agencies.

OASDI - The insurance program we pay into for Social Security

benefits. If you look on your pay stub you will see a OASDI

deduction and a MEDICARE deduction, these were separated a few years

ago.

SSDI - The Social Security program for disabled people if they are

under their retirement age, including children. There are no income

or property limits* on SSDI.

SSI - SSI is a supplemental payment that will bring their total

income on SSDI up to their State's SSI income level. Your State

determines the amount of money in a SSI check and the benefits

included with it. Most states you are automatical eligible for

medicaid, in some states you also receive some Food Stamp money.

Since this is a aid payment there will be income and property* limits.

SSP - Not available in all states. Some states will aid people

without work history and in other situations.

* A property limit is the total value of your cash, bank accounts,

value of cars and house, etc. There are hundreds of pages of

regulations regarding what does and does not get counted, each state

can and does vary. See someone at your local Legal Aid, Welfare

Rights or Social Services(not SSA) Office for additional information.

Medicare - The Federal program for OASDI recipients medical

benefits. Parts A (hospital), B (out patient, doctors visits, etc.)

and the new D (pharmacy).

Medicaid - The State administered Medical program. To apply for

medicaid because of disability and are between the ages of 21 and

65. You will complete a disability evaluation similar to SSA, but

usually shorter. There are income and property limits these can vary

between states. If you are over 65 or have children under 21 living

in the home, you may be eligible to other Medicaid programs. You can

apply for Medicaid even if you are working, that is called the

working disabled program. If you are on SSDI or SSI, and receive

Medicaid, Medicaid will pay for the Part B deduction of Medicare.

Most states are using some form of HMO with their Medicaid system,

which is an improvement, if you were on Medicaid before and had a

hard time finding a doctor. Medicaid can help you fill the gap

before you get Medicare.