The federal Social Security Administration runs the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. (Also see our work on Children's SSI Disability Benefits Threatened and Federal Budget and Spending.)
In order to qualify for either program, a person must be found to have a medical impairment that results in physical and/or mental disability. To qualify for SSI, the person must also have low income and few resources. To qualify for SSDI, the person must have worked for a specified period of time. The Bazelon Center advocates heavily on SSI for this and other supports.
Individuals with serious mental illnesses are eligible for both programs. The benefits provide cash assistance and also access to health care coverage (Medicaid for most of those on SSI and Medicare for those on SSDI for 2 or more years). SSI income is vital for both adults and children with mental disorders because it covers essential living costs for adults and the additional expenses faced by families with a child with a mental disability. Most individuals on SSDI for reasons of mental illness are also low-income, despite having worked for a period of time, and therefore, SSDI benefits are critical. Some individuals receive benefits from both programs because the SSDI benefit they have earned is extremely low; SSI benefits are then awarded to supplement that payment and bring it up to the SSI level.