The difference between SSD and SSI

Title II provides benefits for disabled individuals and their dependents who have contributed the necessary amount of FICA taxes into the Social Security trust fund.

Title XVI (SSI) provides minimal income to the disabled individual. It may provice benefits for elderly individuals (over age 65) who are in dire financial need, or children (under age 18) who are disabled. Title XVI looks to the income and assets of your household in determining entitlement. A person need never to have worked to be eligible to SSI, but he/she must meet the same disability definition as that for Title II.