Supplemental Security Income - What It Is and Its Difference From the SSDI

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is known to provide benefits and assistance to people who are in need. It is known for two Social Security programs that do just that. The first one is the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). It provides monthly assistance to persons with disability who are unable to do substantial work. Another program that also provides benefits but is much different from the SSDI is the Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Not only does the SSI program known to grant monetary assistance to persons with disability. The program also provide the blind and the elderly who are aged 65 and above. Many people are misguided with the two programs being alike in terms of guidelines, aside from the fact that the acronyms are closely the same. Nevertheless, what makes the SSI program different from the SSDI? Here are some of the comparisons of the two:

The Differences

· The SSI program provides benefits that are not based on the beneficiaries' previous work or a family member's previous job. The SSDI does the opposite, it is based on the work credits the beneficiary earned while working.

· The SSI program is financed by the US Federal funds. The funds come from the taxes from personal income and corporate settings. The SSDI, on the other hand, is funded by the Social Security tax contributions of workers under the FICA and the SECA.

· While the SSDI provides medical assistance through Medicare, the SSI also grants medical assistance but through Medicaid. The SSI program also provides food assistance through food stamps, except in the State of California.

· The beneficiaries receive their first SSI benefits at the earliest day of the month. The SSDI beneficiary, however, will get his or her first monthly payment five months after being deemed disabled by the SSA.

· In order for the SSA to approve a beneficiary's SSI claim, he or she must have "limited" income and resources. In order for the SSA to approve a SSDI claim, that person must have enough work credits and had long-term disability that should last long for at least 12 months.

The Similarities:

· Both the SSI and the SSDI programs pay monthly benefits.

· The medical standards for disability are the same for both programs for applicants age 18 and older. However, the medical standards are not the same for both programs if the applicants are children aged 0 to 18 years old.

Ashley is an online writer. She spends so much time in internet surfing and reading about legal/law matters. She is an advocate of rights and dedicated on writing social security disability and long term disability lawyer articles to date.

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What to Check For In A Used Caravan

Anyone who is in the market for a second-hand caravan will be hoping to pick up a bargain. Used caravans in great condition and at good prices are available, but there are a few things to be aware of if you want to avoid choosing a dud. Outlined below are a few of the pitfalls involved in buying a van, and advice on how best to avoid them.

Where to buy

The options for buying a used caravan will be from a dealer or from a private seller. A good dealer will be able to arrange safety and quality checks and will have a reputation that they are keen to keep intact. However, peace of mind will come at a cost as you will be paying the dealer's mark-up on the caravan. Private sellers will be more likely to accept a bit of haggling, and you have the advantage of questioning them about any little problems or quirks that the van has.

Arrange a Viewing

If there are no dealers or private sellers in your local area you might find yourself tempted to order a caravan from a distance. There are plenty of places to shop online but photographs can hide a lot and nothing will substitute for being able to look over the van in detail before you buy it. If you can, take someone knowledgeable along with you to make an impartial judgement. Take a list of things to check and don't hand over the money until you're satisfied.

Damp

Look inside cupboards, around window seals and check the ceiling. Any sign of damp leaking through should be a sign for concern as it can lead to very expensive problems and be difficult to rectify. The floor can also be affected so look for spongy spots and check the corners and edges thoroughly.

Water, Gas and Electrics

If at all possible, see all gas or electric appliances switched on and working before you buy. If this is too difficult then at least ask about them in as much details as you can. Water pipes should be checked for frost damage, especially after the winter, so ask the owner whether they are all working correctly.

Furniture

If there are fold down beds or other furniture then take a bit of extra time to get them out and see that all the parts are present. Windows should open and close tightly with no problems and not let in any water. Cosmetic damage such as bumps and dents might not bother you but could help you haggle for a lower price.

Don't be afraid to seek a second opinion or take a friend along to see the van if you'd like another pair of eyes. If using a dealer to source your caravan then it's worth making sure of an after-sales contact number in case of any problems. Don't be pressured or fooled by the eager salesman who wants to make the sale. Used caravans can be a substantial investment so taking the time to be satisfied with every aspect of your purchase is well worth the extra effort.

Michael P Richards is writing on behalf of North Western Caravans, specialists in Used Caravans

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Budget Travel: 5 Steps to Creating a Budget Friendly Vacation

Budget Travel: 5 Steps to Creating a Budget Friendly Vacation

Traveling during a down economy isn't easy. It's a big commitment, and there isn't a lot of certainty. This has caused many families to postpone or cancel their vacation plans altogether. Many of these families aren't aware of the ins and outs of budget travel, and that's unfortunate. If these families realized that they can make travel more affordable, then maybe they'd be able to take more time off.

That's what I wanted to go over in this article. If you're interested in saving money on a vacation, then follow these simple budget travel steps.

Find the right destination - If you haven't picked a destination, then pay special attention to cheap destinations. You don't have to plan the trip of a lifetime to get a good experience. Try looking for something close to home that many people don't think about. Get creative!
Pay attention to transportation - Calculate the cost of traveling to your destination. A flight, for example, can cost a family thousands whereas a car ride would cost less. Granted, you'll also have to balance that against the potential frustration of a long car ride. But, if it can save you a few hundred dollars, it might be worth it.
Select the right hotel - Look around the Internet for different hotel deals and see where you can find the lowest rates possible. You hear a lot of horror stories about cheap hotels, but I really don't have any. Even the cheap hotels I've stayed in have been satisfactory. But pay attention to the reviews anyway, since most price comparison websites show them. If you can find a cheap hotel that people have been satisfied with in the past, then it might be the diamond in the rough you're looking for.
Make a Light, and Cheap Schedule - Some of the most enjoyable vacations are the ones where you don't do much. When you're traveling on a budget, the last thing you want to do is cram your vacation full of activities. Schedule some fun stuff, but don't overdo it. Not only will you be exhausted, you'll also spend more money. Think of free time in both senses of the word (the do what you want sense and the doesn't cost you anything sense)
Plan your meals ahead of time - Think of a college student living in an apartment. How do they save money on food? Do they eat out all the time or do they go to the store and make their own meals? Obviously, they do the second one, and you can do the same thing during your vacation. This may sound like nonsense, but a family of four can actually save $150-$200 just by planning their meals.

What if you want to save even more money? You might be interested in a free ebook offered at WorldWidely.com. It goes over everything budget travel and can help you save even more money. Click here to get your free copy.

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7 Tips to Visit London on a Budget

Most people think that they need a lot of money in order to fulfill their dream of visiting the British capital. Actually, it all depends on the type of traveler you are. However, there are a few things you can do if the money is tight. Here are a few tips that will help you cut down on your expenses and visit London on a budget.

1. Accommodation

As in many other metropolises, London has lots of hostels where you can find a bed in a shared bedroom for a reasonable price.

2. Museums

Not everybody knows it, but there are plenty of museums in London that can be visited free of charge. Some of them, like the British Museum, for instance, even provide guided tours. While the general tour is usually free in many of London's museums, they also host special exhibitions, for which you have to pay.

3. Concerts

Music lovers will have a treat in London. Besides open air concerts that are held frequently during summer time, the professors of the Royal College of Music and of the Royal Academy of Music and their students play for free in different locations.

4. Transportation

Everybody knows that walking is the cheapest means of transport. While in London, you can use it as a way to know the city better. Just search for walking tours on the internet and you will have a variety of options to choose from.

Don't miss the town squares and the open air markets. While the first ones offer the best opportunity to admire the city's architecture, the latter allow you to mingle with locals and tourists from all over the world. At the same time, if you want to buy some souvenirs, these are the venues where you can find real bargains.

5. Art galleries

Another great thing about the British capital is that you can visit lots of art galleries without paying a single penny. The entrance to both wings of the Tate (Tate Modern and Tate Britain) is absolutely free.

6. Special must-sees

You may not have the money or the time to visit all London's attractions, but there are special things you must absolutely see. Head towards Buckingham Palace in the morning! The Changing of the Guards doesn't take place until noontime, but you have to be there in advance to find a good spot. Look for the Tower's Bridge's lifts schedule and you will be the witness of a fascinating show. Road traffic on both arms is stopped and you see them folding in order to let the big ships pass.

7. Parks and gardens

You will find plenty of green oases in the British capital. Some of them are located in town squares, while the bigger ones are worth a few hours.

Therefore, don't wait any longer and book your holiday. No matter what your budget is, you will always find lots of things to do in London.

If you are looking for a free travel guide, visit our website - http://www.thefreetravelguide.com/ - press the follow button, introduce your e-mail address and you will get updated the minute we publish a new page.

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Study Languages Abroad on the Cheap

If you are in any way interested in learning a language abroad you need to read this article before you pay for a class. This method is not for everyone, but if you are the type of person that dreads sitting in a classroom for hours, or you learn better through practice than book study you will want to pay very close attention. The biggest benefit of attending a language school abroad for the casual language learner is the fact that you are immersed in the language and the culture. If you think about it you can do this all by yourself as long as you have the motivation and the will to actually study and practice instead of reverting to your native language. As we all know, nothing in life is completely free, (you still have to get there), but with this method and the things I'm about to introduce you to will help to greatly cut your costs and up your experience.

Getting There

Though you won't be paying for a language school you still need to get to your destination and flights can be quite expensive these days. You need to be aggressive, flexible, and patient in your airfare search in order to get the best price for you. I have found Wednesday to be the best day of the week to fly though 9 times out of 10 you will find your cheapest fares any day Tuesday through Thursday. Another little trick is to search the same flights at different times of the day. The same flight that cost eight hundred dollars at two in the afternoon may be found for half the price at two in the morning. Try interchanging nearby cities and with no set date to start a language course you can be quite flexible in your dates as well. Here's an example for you: I wanted a flight to Europe, (preferably Italy), but I did not want to spend very much money at all (I'm a real bargain hunter). Flight search number one turned up fares from eight hundred up into the thousands of dollars. Flight search number two turned up results in the five to six hundred range. Flight search number three turned up airfares higher than the first two results. With aggressive searching and interchanging my cities and dates I eventually found a flight for $397 round trip from Newark, NJ to Geneva, Switzerland. As you can imagine I was extremely happy with that and began to plan the rest of my five weeks in Europe.

Where to Stay

I will say that I was in a bit of a unique situation when it comes to accommodation, but I'm sure you can tailor some of this to your own needs. I managed to save quite a bit by combining staying with friends, couchsurfing, hostels, and one random stay of eight days with a newly found friend (more about that another time). I must emphasize that staying with friends or strangers should never be looked upon as a free ride and you should be willing to share your culture and indulge in theirs. When using services such as Couchsurfing, or renting a room from a local, you need to do as much research as possible before you walk through a strangers' door. Check out any references they may have, start a conversation with them well before you go, and talk to other travelers that have stayed with them. For the purpose of practicing your chosen language you should also try to find families or hosts that are willing to help you out with a language exchange. Most cities on Couchsurfing have a language exchange group or night scheduled into their activities. If you have plenty of time to be away you may want to look at being an Au Pair or mothers' helper. A lot of families want someone to help their child with English language skills and in return you get accommodation, a small salary, and a chance to be immersed in the day-to-day family life of your chosen country. On some occasions you may receive help with your travel expenses or have them taken care of completely. Taking on an Au pair job is a great way to learn and give back as well.

What Now?

Congratulations! You found a great price on a flight, arranged your accommodation to suit your budget and now you're sitting back with your feet up wondering what to do next. What you do next is completely up to you and your own personal style. If you haven't booked accommodation with the thought of language exchange in mind you can approach it from many different angles. You can set up language exchange dates with local students, or arrange a meeting with a partner from an online language exchange site like mylanguageexchange.com or conversationexchange.com. Practice every chance you get... at the supermarket, the local bar or cafe, to strangers on the street, or the receptionist at your hostel.

Whichever way you choose to study be sure to make the most of your time and above all have fun. You will come out of this experience with more than just a deeper understanding of the language you are studying. A lifetime of memories will follow you everywhere you go from here.

Visit Love 4 Language for more language study abroad information.