Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income, also known as SSI is another disability program that is offered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSI is different than the other disability programs that fall under the Social Security Act. One still must be either blind or disabled to qualify; however, what sets SSI apart is how SSI is funded, as well as certain financial considerations.

To qualify for SSI, a disabled person need not have worked and paid Social Security taxes. In fact, there is no relationship between SSI and Social Security tax dollars, which is unlike the other disability programs that the SSA administers; SSI is funded through federal tax. Due to the nature of SSI, there are strict financial requirements to qualify. As for health insurance, SSI recipients qualify for Medicaid.