Social Security Benefits...

The Social Security Administration pays disability benefits under two programs: the Social Security disability insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

Social Security Disability is a monthly benefit paid from the Social Security Trust Funds. These benefits are authorized under Title II of the Social Security Act.

SSI benefits are not true social security benefits. They are authorized under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, but the funding for SSI comes from "General Revenues," income taxes and such.

For most people, the medical requirements for disability payments are the same under both programs and a person's disability is determined by the same process.

While eligibility for Social Security disability is based on prior work under Social Security, SSI disability payments are made on the basis of financial need. And there are other differences in the eligibility rules for the two programs. This Web site deals primarily with the Social Security disability insurance program.