What is the difference between social security and supplemental security income?

what is the difference between social security and supplemental security income?

What is the difference between social security and supplemental security income?

Answer:
Social Security:

  • Social Security is a federal program that provides benefits to retired workers, their spouses, and dependent children, as well as disabled individuals.
  • To be eligible for Social Security benefits, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years. The amount of your benefit is based on your earnings history.
  • Social Security benefits are not based on financial need but on your work history and earnings.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI):

  • Supplemental Security Income is a federal income supplement program that is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people who have little or no income.
  • Unlike Social Security, SSI is a need-based program, and eligibility is based on financial need. The amount of the benefit is set by federal law and can vary depending on the individual’s circumstances.
  • To qualify for SSI, applicants must meet certain income and resource limits. It is not necessary for applicants to have paid Social Security taxes to be eligible for SSI benefits.