SSI != SSDI SSI: Supplemental Security Income SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance SSI is a government subsidy, or payout, for those living in poverty.

SSI != SSDI SSI: Supplemental Security Income SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance SSI is a government subsidy, or payout, for those living in poverty. There are income and asset caps that define the poverty level. SSDI is a "single payer" insurance program. Everyone who earns income is required to pay premiums into this program. When someone becomes permanently disabled, no longer able to earn income, they receive payouts from this insurance program. These programs are not the same thing. And the requirements for each are not the same. The cruel reality of healthcare expenses blurs these two things together, for the expense of suffering a medical catastrophe, and ongoing medical support, will indeed drive almost anyone into poverty. And yes: if you become disabled, it will take you almost two years to qualify for SSDI. That's not a strict requirement of the program, but it's a consequence of how the program works. Most families, unable to earn income for that long, won't have much in the way of cash by the time their SSDI review has come through. But it's possible to become permanently disabled while having more than $2000. https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/page7-5.html https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/page7-5.html