I’m a bit fussy when it comes to use of the English language. Misplaced apostrophes and bad grammar tend to drive me nutty. One mistake that is commonly made that is not linguistic in nature, however, is the common tendency to say “SSI” when one means “SSD” and vice versa.This is more a product of a lack of understanding than anything else.
Perhaps this quick primer will help:
SSD: Social Security Disability – for anyone under retirement age who has worked long enough to qualify.
SSI: Supplemental Security Income – available even if person did not work.
SSD: Payments based upon a worker’s earnings record and lifetime FICA contributions.
(The more someone paid in, the more money they get to take out.)
SSI: Flat payments set by the government (usually much lower than SSD.)
SSD: No asset limitation (you could have a million dollars and still collect SSD.)
SSI: You may have no more than $2000 per individual in order to qualify.
(SSI is a welfare program.)
SSD: Qualifies you for Medicare after two years.
SSI: Qualifies you for Medicaid immediately.
SSD: Available to non-citizens
SSI: Not available to most non-citizens.
However, note that:
SSD and SSI use the same rules to determine if someone is disabled!!

I handle SSD cases, but not SSI cases.

Now, don’t get me started- please don’t ever call Workers’ Comp
“Workman’s Comp” !!!!!!!
But that’s for another day……………..