| Definition of "Disability" | Inability to Do Any Work. See here |
| Application and Appeal Process | The same. See here |
| Work Requirement | YES. Fully insured status based upon payroll Taxes paid (work credits) | NO. No work history is required. |
| Needs Requirement | NO. SSDI benefits are not based upon "need". A billionaire who has paid social security taxes and is unable to do any work and can qualify for SSDI. | YES. Must be basically indigent: more more than $2000 in "resources" or bringing on more than $735/month means your don't "need" SSI. |
| Medical Coverage | Medicare after 24 months of entitement to disability benefits | Medicaid starting with month after disability |
| Retroactive Benefits | No more than 1 year prior to the date of disability application | No benefits payable prior to date of SSI application. |