SSDI, SSI, and VA Disability: What's the Difference, and Which One Is Mine?

If your head is spinning from all the acronyms, you're not alone. Most people applying for benefits have never had to learn this alphabet before, and nobody teaches it in school. Here's the simple version:

• SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, and can no longer work because of a medical condition. Think of it like an insurance policy you paid into with every paycheck.
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is for people with limited income and resources, whether they worked much or not. It's based on financial need.
• VA Disability is for veterans whose injury or illness is connected to their military service, whether it happened during combat or during ordinary duty.

Some people qualify for more than one program at the same time. A veteran may be eligible for both VA disability and SSDI if they meet each program's requirements.

You don't have to figure this out alone. A good representative will look at your full story, identify every program you may qualify for, and help you move through each one in the right order, so nothing falls through the cracks.