ok, i have done so much research on ssi and ssdi it makes me sick....so social security income (ssi) is based on how much money you currently have in savings and how much your spouse, or if you are still dependent on you parents, your parents income. Social Security Disablity insurance (ssdi) is not based on what your spouse or parents earn, or how much you have in savings. ssdi is based on your inability to work because of illness or injury. with ssdi you must have had a job in the past and earned enough credits. the only thing i am not 100% on is you have to work at least 5 or 7 years...i think its a minimum of 5. I WILL BE STARTING MY SSDI THIS JUNE AND WILL BE GETTING MORE MONEY A MONTH THAN WHAT I WAS MAKING FULL TIME AT MY OLD JOB. BUT I HAVE 11 CREDITS WORTH SO THAT HELPS. BUT BOTTOM LINE IS WITH PROPER DOCUMENTATION FROM YOU DOCTOR, YOU CANT GET DENIED SSDI, IF YOU HAVE PROPER NUMBER OF CREDITS. THE WHOLE APPROVAL PROCESS FOR MY SSDI WAS 15 DAYS...AND MY HEALTH IS NOT HORRIBLE, SINCE I FISH EVERYDAY...ITS ALL ABOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION. ANY ONE NEEDS ADVICE OR HELP WITH THE PROCESS FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME.