The core difference: one is based on your work history, the other on income and assets

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays you based on your own work record or a family member's work record — you earned it through payroll taxes. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that pays you based on how little money and property you have right now, regardless of work history.

The two programs use the same medical definition of disability — you must have a condition that prevents substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. But who gets paid, how much they get paid, and what other resources they can have are completely different.

Many people receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time. Understanding which program you might may have access to for depends on your work history, your current income and assets, and your age.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI is based on your own work record or a family member's work record; SSI is based on your current income and assets being below a certain threshold.
  • SSDI has no limit on how much money or property you can own; SSI limits you to $2,000 in countable resources (or $3,000 if you are married).
  • SSDI monthly payments depend on the person whose work record you may have access to on; SSI payments are the same for everyone in your state, currently $943 federally (though some states add more).
  • You can work and earn money while on SSDI without losing benefits, as long as you stay under the substantial gainful activity limit; SSI has stricter work limits and counts most earnings against your payment.
  • SSDI comes with Medicare after two years; SSI comes with Medicaid immediately in most states.

How work history determines which program you can get

SSDI requires that you or a family member (parent, spouse, or ex-spouse) have paid into Social Security through payroll taxes for a certain number of quarters. The Social Security Administration calls this being "insured." If you have never worked or have not worked enough, you cannot get SSDI no matter how disabled you are.

SSI has no work history requirement. You can get SSI if you have never worked a day in your life, as long as you are disabled, blind, or over 65, and your income and assets fall below the limits. This is why SSI is often the only option for people who became disabled before they could work, or who have very limited work histories.

If you have worked some but not enough to may have access to for SSDI on your own record, you may still may have access to on a parent's or ex-spouse's record if they are retired, disabled, or deceased. A Social Security representative can tell you whether you have enough work credits.

Resource and income limits: why SSI is stricter

SSDI has no limit on how much money you can have in the bank, what property you own, or what your income is. You can be a millionaire and still receive SSDI if you became disabled before retirement age and have the work history to may have access to.

SSI has strict limits. You can own no more than $2,000 in countable resources if you are single, or $3,000 if you are married. Countable resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. Your home and one car do not count, and some other items are excluded, but most things of value do.

SSI also counts your income. If you earn money from work, most of it reduces your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar after a small work incentive ($65 per month plus half of remaining earnings). If you receive other income — pensions, unemployment, child support — it also counts against your SSI payment.

SSDI counts earned income differently. You can earn up to a certain amount (called substantial gainful activity, currently $1,550 per month in 2024, though this changes yearly) without losing your benefits. Above that, you lose benefits for any month you earn more. Unearned income like pensions or interest does not affect SSDI at all.

Monthly payment amounts and how they are calculated

SSDI payments are based on your own earnings record or the earnings record of the person you may have access to on. The higher that person's average lifetime earnings, the higher your payment. Payments range widely — from a few hundred dollars to over $3,800 per month depending on work history. The Social Security Administration can tell you your estimated payment before you apply.

SSI payments are the same for everyone in your state (with rare exceptions). The federal base rate is currently $943 per month for an individual, though this amount changes yearly with inflation. Some states add their own money on top of the federal payment, ranging from a few dollars to several hundred dollars per month depending on the state.

If you receive both SSDI and SSI, your SSDI payment comes first. If your SSDI payment is less than the SSI limit for your state, SSI makes up the difference. This is called "concurrent" benefits.

Healthcare coverage: Medicare versus Medicaid

SSDI comes with Medicare after you have been receiving benefits for 24 months. Medicare is federal health insurance that covers hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription drugs (with copays and deductibles). You pay premiums for Medicare Part B and Part D, though these are usually deducted from your SSDI payment.

SSI comes with Medicaid immediately in most states. Medicaid is state-run health insurance with no premiums and typically lower out-of-pocket costs than Medicare. Coverage varies by state, but Medicaid often covers more services than Medicare, including dental and vision care in some states.

If you receive both SSDI and SSI, you get both Medicare and Medicaid. Some people use Medicaid as their primary insurance and Medicare as backup, or vice versa, depending on which covers what they need.

Work incentives and how they differ between programs

SSDI has built-in work incentives because the program assumes you will try to return to work. You can earn up to the substantial gainful activity limit without losing benefits. You can also use programs like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) to deduct disability-related costs from your earnings, and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) to set aside money and resources for a work goal without losing benefits.

SSI work incentives are stricter but still exist. You get a $65 monthly exclusion plus half of remaining earnings, which means you keep more of your first earnings than you would lose. You can also use PASS to set aside money for work or education. However, SSI counts unearned income, so if you receive any other money, your SSI payment shrinks.

Both programs allow you to test your ability to work without immediately losing all benefits. If you try working and it does not work out, you can usually get benefits reinstated without reapplying. The rules are complex, so talking to a work incentives counselor (available free through your state's vocational rehabilitation agency) can help you understand what you can earn without losing benefits.

When you might may have access to for one program but not the other

You might may have access to for SSDI but not SSI if you have a strong work history but your current income and assets are above the SSI limits. In this case, you get SSDI only, and you do not need to worry about resource limits.

You might may have access to for SSI but not SSDI if you have never worked or did not work long enough to earn SSDI. This is common for people who became disabled in childhood or young adulthood. You get SSI only, and your payment is based on the federal or state SSI rate, not on a work record.

You might may have access to for both if you have some work history but your SSDI payment is low — lower than the SSI limit for your state. In this case, SSI tops up your SSDI payment to bring you to the state limit. This is called concurrent benefits and is common.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get SSDI if I have never worked?

No, SSDI requires a work history. However, you may be able to get SSI if you are disabled and have limited income and resources. If a parent is retired or disabled, you might also may have access to for SSDI on their work record if you became disabled before age 22.

Will I lose my SSI if I get a job?

Not immediately. SSI excludes the first $65 of monthly earnings plus half of the rest. So if you earn $200 per month, you lose only $67.50 of your SSI payment. However, if you earn enough to disqualify you entirely, your payment stops. Work incentives like PASS can help you keep more of your earnings.

Do I have to choose between SSDI and SSI?

No. You can receive both at the same time. Your SSDI payment comes first, and if it is below your state's SSI limit, SSI makes up the difference. You get both Medicare and Medicaid in this situation.

What counts as a resource for SSI purposes?

Cash, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds count. Your home, one car, and certain items like household goods and personal effects do not count. Some items like life insurance and burial funds are also excluded. The Social Security Administration has a full list of what counts and what does not.

If my SSDI payment is very low, can SSI help?

Yes. If your SSDI payment is below your state's SSI limit, you can receive both programs. SSI will pay the difference between your SSDI amount and the state limit, as long as your income and resources meet SSI rules. This is called concurrent benefits.