Dealing with a disability can be hard in many ways. You’re essentially forced to change nearly every aspect of your life to accommodate your new normal, which can be stressful. You may not even be able to work anymore, which can push you to seek governmental assistance through the Social Security Administration (SSA). You need to make sure you apply for the right kind of support. Understanding SSI vs SSDI in Sacramento County can help prevent mistakes.
SSI vs SSDI in Sacramento County
If you need to file for either SSI or SSDI benefits in Sacramento County, you can do it online, over the phone, or at your local SSA office. There are three in Sacramento County:
- Sacramento Field Office on Folsom Boulevard.
- North Sacramento Field Office on Arden Way.
- South Sacramento Field Office on Massie Circle.
It’s recommended that you make an appointment first. Keep in mind that you’re never alone in seeking government benefits. As of 2023, there were 7.4 million individuals across the country receiving SSI benefits. In California, there were 514,660 disabled workers receiving disability insurance from the SSA that same year.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) have multiple distinct differences between them. You will want to make sure you are applying for the right kind of benefits. The last thing you want is to fill out the application and send it off, only to have accidentally applied for the wrong kind of benefits. Essentially, SSDI is for workers who have paid into Social Security, while SSI is a needs-based program for those with limited income.
SSI Benefits in California
To qualify for SSI benefits in California, you need to meet a certain economic threshold, among other significant factors. SSI is based on financial need for disabled, blind, and elderly individuals. Their work history is not a relevant factor when determining their eligibility for benefits.
Their income level must be severely limited to qualify for SSI benefits. For individuals, that’s generally under $2,000 in resources. For couples, it’s under $3,000. Qualified applicants’ disabilities must be detrimental to their daily life, preventing them from maintaining gainful employment, and are expected to last at least a year or result in death. Benefits are generally paid on the first of each month.
SSDI Benefits
To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must meet different requirements. First and foremost, you must have paid into your Social Security over many years to earn enough work credits to qualify. SSDI benefits are largely based on your ability to work. If your disability isn’t debilitating enough to keep you out of the workforce, you will likely not be approved for SSDI benefits.
Your income and assets do not matter if you’re applying for SSDI benefits. All that’s really considered is the severity of your disability, your recent work history, and work credits that you may have earned through your Social Security.
Which Do You Qualify For?
Unfortunately, it may not be entirely up to you to choose which one you qualify for. It depends on your work status, your disability, your age, and your income. If you feel you do qualify for SSI or SSDI benefits, you should hire an SSDI lawyer to walk you through the application process and help you determine which form of government assistance you may qualify for.
Hire an SSDI Lawyer
As you attempt to understand the primary differences between SSI and SSDI benefits, you don’t have to go through it alone. The help of a Sacramento County SSDI attorney can often be indispensable to your SSDI case. They can walk you through California’s SSDI laws and keep you from making any costly mistakes that could end up costing you your benefits.
The team at Gade & Parekh, LLP has decades of combined experience, allowing us to help each of our clients with their unique SSA benefits. No matter what circumstances you’re facing, our team is there to give you the confidence you need to face the legal road ahead.
FAQs
Q: Who Gets More Money, SSI or SSDI?
A: SSDI benefits pay more than SSI benefits. SSDI benefits are based largely on your past earnings, while SSI benefits have a fixed lower income level that needs to be reached. Ultimately, SSDI payments depend on your average lifetime earnings before your disability begins. It also depends on how much you have paid in Social Security. SSI benefits are often a flat rate for individuals with little to no income and few resources.
Q: Does Parkinson’s Disease Qualify You for Long-Term Disability?
A: Parkinson’s Disease can qualify you for long-term disability insurance benefits in California. However, the symptoms of your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from working. Simply being diagnosed with Parkinson’s is not enough. You must provide extensive medical proof that details your advanced condition, including the presence of tremors and/or cognitive decline. This condition must prevent you from being able to do your job.
Q: What Assets Are Exempt from the SSI Resource Limit?
A: It’s important to keep in mind that certain assets are not included in the resource limits for SSI benefits. The SSA considers certain assets essential for daily life and work. Some of these exempt assets include your home and the land it’s on, one vehicle used for transportation, burial plots for you and your immediate family, and up to $1,500 in burial funds for you and your spouse. Certain personal belongings and household goods may also be exempt.
Q: How Long Does the Application Process Take?
A: The application process for both SSI and SSDI benefits can take considerable time to finalize. The general range for SSI benefits is one to six months, while the general range for SSDI benefits is six to eight months. The process can be faster for some, as each application is different. Some are approved quickly, while others are denied, leading to the appeals process. There’s no telling how long yours will take.
California SSDI Lawyer
It’s always recommended that you hire an SSDI lawyer to represent you throughout the application process, including applying for SSI benefits. You never know when a setback might arise, and having someone who knows what they’re doing can only benefit you long-term. At Gade & Parekh, LLP, we can help you figure out the right path for your case. Contact us to speak with someone on our team.