There are two different kinds of disability. SSI is for those who haven't paid into the system but are disabled, or have paid in, but not enough to qualify for SSDI. The second type is SSDI, which is for those who have worked and paid into the system. SSI includes, but is not limited to, children who are in school, but have diagnoses that qualify them for disability. I've posted about this in another thread, the one about medicating/over medicating children. The parents of those receiving SSI receive the check, and they receive a check for each child who qualifies. This seems to be a replacement for the old time welfare, and can really add up for someone with a few or more children on SSI. If you look at the number of children qualifying, and then add in the addicts who are now considered disabled, the rolls have really swollen over the years.