Are SSI claims in California denied more than SSDI claims?   As a former disability examiner for the social security administration's DDS, or disability determination services, it was my job to review disability claims that were filed under both the title 2 disability program known as SSDI, or Social Security Disability insurance, as well as the title 16 disability program, known as SSI, or supplemental security income. Social Security treats SSI and Social Security Disability equally in the medical decision process and that process is literally identical regardless of whether a claim is for one program or the other. Therefore, no more SSI claims in California than Social Security Disability claims are denied or approved. A disability examiner will simply receive a claim from the social security office--where initial claims are taken--and then begin to process it (by getting the claimant's medical records requested and also by evaluating the claimant's work history if they are an adult, and school performance if they are a child). Why are the two programs handled in exactly the same manner? Simply because there would be no justification for two different systems of evaluation, particularly in cases where a person has filed "concurrently". Concurrent claims are those in which a person has had a disability application taken in both programs simultaneously. Why are some claims for both SSDI and SSI? Why does this happen? Usually, this occurs when a person is eligible for SSDI benefits (meaning they have worked enough and have earned enough work credits to gain insured status for SSDI benefits) but would only receive a low monthly benefit check if they were to receive just SSDI by itself. In fact, most claims are concurrent, meaning that an individual who has gone in to a social security office to file for disability benefits has actually filed for both SSI and Social Security Disability, even if they never realize it (which is usually the case). Why do some people assume that the decision process for SSDI and SSI disability is different? It may be because, while the process for approving or denying a claim is not different, there are certain non-medical differences between the two programs. For instance, while SSDI does not even consider what assets a person may have or what non-wage income they may be receiving, SSI is a need-based program; therefore, the income and resources (assets) of an applicant must be considered even if a medical allowance (approval) has been made on a claim. Translation: This means that some SSI claims are denied on the basis of having too much in assets or non-wage income even though the individual applicant was found to be disabled, according to the social security administration's medical disability criteria. For this reason, it may appear that more SSI claims are denied than Social Security Disability claims, simply because of the non-medical considerations involved with the SSI disability program. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Filing for disability in California How do I Apply for Disability Benefits in California How long should you wait before you apply for disability? SSD and SSI applications in California What do you do if your California disability claim is denied? Do you file for your children when you apply for disability in California? Should you apply for disability in California after a denial? How long does a disability case take in California After you file for disability in California Filing for disability in California and your condition Filing a disability claim in California, long filing process The California disability process Do I need to be disabled a year in California to get disability? The Social Security Disability process in California California Disability determination process Disability approval criteria in California California Social Security Disability decisions Steps to Win Social Security Disability benefits in California Questions about disability in California How much can you make in California and still apply for disability? California Social Security Back Pay Can Disability benefits be garnished in California? Disability two year medicare waiting period in California California review of Social Security Disability claim California Social Security Disability status VA disability and California Social Security Disability Can a Congressman in California help on a disability case How do examiners make disability decisions in California? Applying for disability benefits in California How long does disability take in California? How long does it take to get a decision on a disability case in California? Why do disability claims take so long in California? How Long Will It Take To Get My Disability Decision If I Appeal in California? Disability claims in California with certain conditions Applying For Disability On the Basis of Back Pain in California Filing for Disability with Fibromyalgia in California Social Security Disability For Mental Illness in California Winning California disability Will a lawyer improve the chance to win disability in California? Getting approved for disability in California Winning disability in California California Disability Lawyers and Representation Getting a disability attorney in California Finding a new disability attorney in California Applying for SSI in California Filing for SSI disability in California SSI disability denied in California Are SSI claims in California denied more than SSDI claims? How to apply for SSI Disability in California Doctors, medical records, and medical exams Doctors and applying for disability in California Can you be turned down for disability in California if your doctor says you are disabled? Disability hearings in California Disability Hearings in California California quick disability hearing How do I win my Social Security Disability Hearing in California? How long does it take to get a disability hearing in California? Disability denials in California Disability Denied in California If a disability claim is denied in California Appealing a Social Security Disability denial in California If you get denied Social Security Disability in California Why are Most Disability Cases Denied in California? Getting approved or denied for disability in California Disability appeals in California How do you file a disability appeal in California? How many disability appeals do you get in California? If your California disability appeal is denied, can you get another appeal? If your disability reconsideration is denied in California Filing a reconsideration appeal in California Why was I denied disability in California? Qualifying for disability in California Qualifying for disability in California Qualify for SSD in California Will I Qualify For Disability Benefits in California? Disability lawyers in California Using a Social Security Disability Attorney in California Cost of a California disability attorney Why do disability lawyers in California sometimes not take cases? Hiring a Disability Lawyer in California Social Security Disability Attorney Fees In California How do Disability Lawyers in California get paid their fees? Should you get a disability lawyer before you get denied in California? Lawyer for a disability hearing in California Why was I denied disability in California?