SSI and SSDI...these are two different programs!!!! Please read!!

[Guest guest]

Just because you went to college does not mean you do not qualify for disability. There are TWO DIFFERENT Social Security programs..many keep trying to make them into one.

The first one is SSDI-social security disability...this is the one were if you have worked a minimum of so many quarters you qualify for money as well as medicare.

The second program is SSI- supplimental security income...this is given to anyone that applies and qualifies. In most states it comes with medicaid. This program is based on total family income and is purely income driven. This was designed as a catch net for those that did not work but were disabled. It also pays the lessor amount of benefits.

I know for a fact that my now 18 yo daughter has been in SSI off and on since birth due to genetic problem that has left her disabled. She has NEVER worked. In order for her to qualify our family income has to fit within certain guidelines and she has to have a qualifying diagnosis.

Please get your facts before you deny yourself a program that may help you. Now keep in mind the process for certain diagnosises can take years to get approval. You may require a lawyer for approval after the first denial. It is not uncommon to get denied the first them. Do not give up.

Please check out www.ssa.gov for more info

Toni in Texas

In a message dated 9/24/2005 9:10:01 AM Central Daylight Time, Rheumatoid Arthritis writes:

Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2005 02:52:58 -0000 From: "kenajean" <kenajean@...>Subject: Re: New to RAThank You for your kind words. It is nice to find a community who understands. I was a little under the weather when I wrote my last message. Also I am on Methotrexate Humira and more often then not Prednisone. All of which are not bringing much relief anymore. As for as my comments on college and disability, let me explain. In order to claim SSI Disability, you have to have so many points according to SSI. You earnm these points by working and how much you pay into SSI. Because I went to college and not to work, I do no have enough points to claim disability. So at times I feel like I am being punished because I did what society says I should do after high school and went to college. Again thank you for your kind words and hope I explained things a little better.Kenajean