my husband is being medically retired, and has applied for ssd......he automatically was denied ssi, as we have too many assets......
he will be getting a medical retirement.
question is this....what is the difference between ssi, and ssdi? one is social security income, which he was told he would not receive.....but ssdi, is social security disability income or insurance?
so confusing..........we do have an attorney through his work, but i am having a hard time understanding it....i went to a social security site, and read that if you paid FICA, you would receive ssdi.....he has done that for many many years....................
thanks for your help.

SSI is a needs based program for those with lower income who are elderly or disabled. You do not have to pay into the social security system in order to receive SSI, but you do have to show that you have low income and few assets (assets such as stocks - I believe one home and one car are not counted as assets - but I'm not positive on that one).

SSDI (sometimes called SSD) is for workers who have paid into the social security system who then become disabled. Household income and assets do not play a part in determining SSDI eligibility - Bill Gates could get SSDI as long as he has paid into the system and has a disability that is expected to last at least 12 months.

Since your husband is married (and I assume you have an income of some sort) then it is unlikely that he would be eligible for SSI since SSI is a needs based program for those with low-income.

Because he paid into the social security system before he became disabled, he is eligible for SSDI as long as you can prove a disability that will last for at least 12 months.

On a personal note - I became disabled before I was married. When I was approved I was approved for both SSDI and SSI - however once I got married I was no longer eligible for SSI due to my husbands income, but I have continued to receive SSDI.

I hope that helps

Liz