Which is faster to get. SSI or Social Security Disability benefits?

At some point in your life, you may need the help of the Social Security Administration (SSA). You may want to file a claim for Social Security Insurance (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD or SSDI). The question you may ask yourself is, "Which is faster to get. SSI or SSD?" The answer is not a simple one.

Both SSI and SSD are subjected to the same medical criteria. They also follow the same process of scrutiny by the examiner and are subject to a possible Social Security Quality Assurance (SSQA) review. An examiner can reject or accept the claimant's application in either instance. These decisions are based on the inclusion of concrete documentary evidence, including medical and financial records.

The wait period for acceptance or rejection of your application is the same for both SSI and SSD. It ranges anywhere from a few days to several years. A newly instituted program called Quick Disability Determination (QDD) decreases the waiting period to days and not months or years. This affects both programs equally. However, what can make it faster to receive SSI is the waiting period.

Only SSD has a mandatory waiting period. You receive your SSD benefits following a five month period. SSA gages the five months from the stated onset of your disability. As a result, while acceptance for SSD or SSI benefits may fall within the same time frame, you may not actually be able to obtain any SSD money if the five months has not passed.

It may be faster to get SSI benefits over SSD. Talk to lawyer to see what your best possible option is. He or she can help you prepare the paperwork correctly. A skilled SSD and/or SSI lawyer can make sure you receive your benefits in a timely manner.