Public benefits programs

Public benefits programs include SSDI, SSI, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE (CHAMPUS). Below is a chart noting the difference between SSI, SSDI, Medicare and Medicaid. Each is described in more detail on their own page. 

SSDI

  • Cash benefit
  • Benefits based on earnings
  • Financed by employer and wage contributions
  • No income limit
  • No resource limit
  • Must have enough work credits
  • Medicare is medical benefit
  • Provides benefits to eligible family members
  • Benefit amount based on average lifetime earnings

Benefit types

  1. Retirement (age 62 & older)
  2. Survivor
  3. Disability (includes blindness)

SSI

  • Cash benefit
  • Benefits based on need
  • Finance by general revenues
  • Limited income
  • Limited resources
  • No work credits required
  • Medicaid is medical benefit
  • No family benefit
  • Benefit amount based on Federal and State laws

Benefit types

  1. Aged (age 65 and older)
  2. disability (any age, includes children
  3. Blindness (any age , includes children)

Medicare

  • Medical benefit
  • Benefits based on earnings
  • Financed by employer and wage contributions
  • No income limit
  • No resource limit
  • Must have enough work credits
  • SSDI is financial benefit

Medicaid

  • Medical benefit
  • Benefits based on need
  • Finance by general revenues
  • Limited income
  • Limited resources
  • No work credits required
  • SSI is financial benefit