{"id":353918,"date":"2023-08-08T10:37:34","date_gmt":"2023-08-08T15:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/socialsecurity\/disability\/what-is-the-difference-between-ssdi-and-ssi.html"},"modified":"2026-03-05T15:48:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T20:48:43","slug":"what-is-the-difference-between-ssdi-and-ssi","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/socialsecurity\/disability\/what-is-the-difference-between-ssdi-and-ssi.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Difference Between SSDI and SSI?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is the Difference Between SSDI and SSI?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Hannah Hilst<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jennifer Steinberg, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The Social Security Administration<\/span> (SSA<\/span>) administers two main types of disability programs<\/span>. These programs are\u00a0Social Security Disability Insurance<\/span>\u00a0(SSDI) and\u00a0Supplemental Security Income<\/span>\u00a0(SSI). Both benefits programs pay you if you cannot work due to disability. But SSDI and SSI programs are different, especially in the non-medical requirements of entitlement and eligibility<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Social Security benefits can give you reliable monthly income<\/span> for food, housing, and other bills. But the system can be complex. You\u2019ll want to understand all the options available to you.<\/p>\n

While SSI and SSDI benefits<\/span> overlap in many ways, they are distinct programs. The following article will explain some of the main differences between SSDI and\u00a0SSI for people with disabilities<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If your situation is complex, speak with a disability benefits<\/span> lawyer<\/a>. They can help you with the challenges of applying for government programs and protecting your benefit entitlements.<\/p>\n

SSI and SSDI Similarities<\/h2>\n

For both programs, you must meet the\u00a0SSA<\/span>\u2019s strict definition of disability<\/span>. You must have a physical or mental health<\/span> condition<\/a> that prevents you from working.<\/p>\n

The SSA<\/span> also uses the same Compassionate Allowance list<\/a> for both programs. If you have one of these severe medical conditions<\/span>, the SSA<\/span> may process your claim more quickly.<\/p>\n

You can\u00a0appeal unfavorable decisions<\/a>\u00a0in SSI or SSDI claims. An appeal gives your claim another chance to be reviewed.<\/p>\n

In certain circumstances, the SSA<\/span> may reduce or stop benefits. Returning to work<\/a> is a common example of when benefits may change.<\/p>\n

Can I Get SSI and SSDI Benefits<\/span> at the Same Time?<\/h2>\n

It is possible to get both SSDI and SSI payments<\/span> simultaneously or \u201cconcurrently.” You must meet all the separate eligibility<\/span> criteria<\/span> for both programs to get concurrent benefits<\/span>. They share the same definition of disability<\/span><\/a>, but they also have non-medical requirements.<\/p>\n

To get both SSI and SSDI monthly payments<\/span>, you must apply for both programs. Fortunately, you won\u2019t need to fill out two different applications. The SSA<\/span> allows you to use one application. If you believe you qualify for concurrent benefits<\/span>, look for the option to apply for both types<\/a> in the application.<\/p>\n

Basic SSDI\/SSI Eligibility<\/span> Differences<\/h2>\n

Adults who are 65 and older, blind, or otherwise have a disability can apply for SSI if they meet other\u00a0eligibility<\/span> requirements<\/span>. SSI eligibility<\/span> also includes\u00a0children under 18<\/a>\u00a0with medical impairments<\/span> severely limiting daily activities who live in a low-income<\/span> household.<\/p>\n

With SSDI, your qualifying dependents may be eligible for benefits under your work record. Qualifying dependents can include your children, spouse, surviving spouse, or adults who have had a disability since childhood.<\/p>\n

Only SSDI Requires Work History<\/span><\/h3>\n

For SSDI eligibility<\/span><\/a>, you must have “paid into” the system through Social Security taxes<\/span>. You must have worked long enough and recently enough to qualify.<\/p>\n

The SSA<\/span> uses a system of work credits to measure whether your work history<\/span> qualifies you for certain types of benefits. Your work credits are\u00a0based on your self-employment income or wages. You can earn a maximum of four work credits per year.<\/p>\n

Like Social Security retirement benefits<\/span>, the SSDI program considers how many credits you have when you apply. The required number of work credits<\/span> depends on your age on the onset date of your disability<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In contrast, SSI disability<\/span> does not consider your work history<\/span>. Instead, it is based on your level of financial need<\/span>.<\/p>\n

SSI Is a Needs-Based<\/span> Program<\/h3>\n

SSI can pay you monthly benefits<\/span> to supplement a very limited income<\/span>. The SSA<\/span> determines eligibility<\/span> by calculating an SSI applicant<\/span>\u2019s income and resources.<\/p>\n

The SSI calculation includes what you own, such as bank accounts or stocks. The SSA<\/span> does not count the value of your home as a resource, so your home will not disqualify you from receiving SSI. Usually, the SSA<\/span> doesn\u2019t consider vehicles (within reason) either.<\/p>\n

In contrast, SSDI does not consider what you already own or any money you saved. Yet, SSDI still checks your income for eligibility<\/span>. Earning a certain level of money per month is considered \u201csubstantial gainful activity<\/a>\u201d (SGA). The SGA income limit typically changes every year. If you earn at the SGA level, you won\u2019t qualify for SSDI.<\/p>\n

SSDI <\/span>Benefit<\/span> Amounts<\/span> vs. SSI <\/span>Benefit<\/span> Amounts<\/span><\/h2>\n

Monthly SSDI benefits<\/span> are based on your average earnings record. You can check your\u00a0Social Security statement\u00a0to see your earnings history and estimate monthly disability payments.<\/p>\n

In 2026, monthly SSI payments<\/span><\/a>\u00a0are up to $994 per month for an individual and $1,491 per month for a couple. The maximum federal benefit rate<\/span> usually changes every year. Some states\u00a0supplement SSI benefits<\/span>\u00a0with an additional monthly sum.<\/p>\n

If the SSA<\/span> approves you for both benefits, it will calculate how much to pay you from each program. SSDI benefits<\/span> are countable income<\/span> under the SSI program. The monthly SSDI payment will lower the SSI payment<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Your SSDI disability benefits<\/span> convert to retirement benefits at full retirement age<\/span>. The benefit amount<\/span> will stay the same. SSI benefits<\/span> do not convert, but you can continue to receive SSI payments<\/span> if you still qualify after collecting retirement benefits.<\/p>\n

When SSI\/SSDI Benefits<\/span> Begin<\/h2>\n

For SSDI, there is a five-month waiting period<\/span> for your first benefit payment. The first benefit begins in the sixth full month after the date SSA<\/span> finds you disabled. SSDI recipients<\/span> with ALS have an exception to this rule, so they can receive benefits immediately.<\/p>\n

For SSI, there is no formal waiting period<\/span>. The SSA<\/span> might still take a few months to process and pay out monthly benefits<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Yet, both programs pay benefits sooner to recipients with medical conditions<\/span> on the Compassionate Allowances list. In addition to processing the claim quickly, the SSA<\/span> will expedite benefits after approval.<\/p>\n

Medicaid<\/span> and Medicare<\/span> Eligibility<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you need disability benefits<\/span>, you may also need public health <\/span>insurance<\/span> coverage<\/span>. Medicaid<\/span> and Medicare<\/span><\/a> can help SSI\/SSDI recipients<\/span> afford health care<\/span>.<\/p>\n

SSDI recipients<\/span> become eligible for Medicare<\/span> after receiving benefits for two years. There is an exception for SSDI recipients<\/span> with ALS, who become eligible immediately.<\/p>\n

Medicaid<\/span> is a state-level program. In most states, SSI recipients<\/span> automatically become eligible for health insurance<\/span> under Medicaid<\/span>. Some states require the recipient to apply for Medicaid<\/span> separately from their SSI application<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Program Funding Sources<\/h2>\n

The government runs each disability program<\/span> in slightly different ways. The source of SSDI payments is the Social Security trust fund<\/span>. A portion of money from federal payroll taxes<\/span><\/a> supplies this fund. General U.S. Treasury tax revenues<\/a> finance SSI.<\/p>\n

Legal Guidance for SSI and SSDI Benefits<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Social Security Administration<\/span>\u2019s rules and regulations can be confusing. You may find yourself uncertain about the disability application process or what to do after a claim denial<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If so, a good first step is to speak with a\u00a0Social Security disability benefits<\/span> attorney<\/a>\u00a0near you. A disability lawyer can put you on the right track toward receiving benefits and protecting the financial future of you and your family members<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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