In order to be eligible for Social Security Disability, a person must be “insured” by having paid enough tax credits from employment, into the Social Security system. For persons who are disabled but not “insured”, there exists the alternative of receiving disability benefits under Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a federal welfare program for disabled persons.

Following are the requirements to receive SSI, if one is diabled:

• Be “disabled” using the same definition as is used for the social security disability program.
• Meet the income and asset requirements of the SSI program.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• File an application.

There are strict income and asset limitations in order to be eligible. Individuals may sometimes receive both SSD and SSDI benefits, if the disability benefits are low enough.