SSI Recipients are:
Around 7.9 million Americans, or about 2.5% of the population (read more here)
Over 65 years old or people with disabilities
Typically have no other income
Have minimal financial assets
Disproportionately people of color
Due to out-of-date SSI policies, live below the poverty line
Is SSI the same as SSDI?
No. These two programs are both forms of assistance for Americans with disabilities but they serve different populations and offer benefits on disparate scales. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is a benefit earned through payroll contributions, similar to Social Security Retirement benefits. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) recipients qualify based on age/disability and limited income and resources. In many cases, an SSI recipient’s disability prevented them from ever holding a job that would earn Social Security credits toward SSDI. As of November 2020, the average monthly SSDI benefit was nearly double the average SSI benefit, and the maximum possible benefit was almost four times greater. Read more here.
