There are millions of Americans who are being benefited by the services of the Social Security programs, but sometimes it gets confusing as to how to distinguish Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The truth is that both programs are run under the Social Security Administration (SSA), and they pay monthly benefits to eligible people with disabilities but they serve different purposes. The biggest distinction comes down to how someone qualifies. SSI is primarily designed for people with limited income and financial resources, while SSDI is tied to a person's work history and Social Security contributions. However, there may be significant differences between payments and health care benefits. This is the reason why one should be aware of the difference between these two benefits because some people qualify for both SSI and SSDI.