You cannot collect both SSDI and SSI in full at the same time, but you may receive a partial SSI payment alongside SSDI under specific circumstances.

Social Security has a rule called deeming that prevents most people from drawing the maximum amount from both programs simultaneously. If you receive SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), Social Security counts part of that income when calculating your SSI (Supplemental Security Income) payment. In most cases, your SSDI amount will be high enough that you receive no SSI at all. However, if your SSDI payment is very low — typically under $800 per month — you may may have access to for a small SSI top-up payment to bring your total income closer to the federal benefit rate.

The key factor is your SSDI amount. Social Security subtracts your SSDI payment from the SSI federal benefit rate (which is $943 per month in 2024, though this changes yearly). If anything remains after that subtraction, you receive it as SSI. If your SSDI equals or exceeds the federal benefit rate, you get no SSI.

Key Takeaways

  • If you receive SSDI, Social Security automatically counts that income when determining your SSI payment, so you cannot receive the full SSI amount on top of full SSDI.
  • You may receive a partial SSI payment if your SSDI is below the federal benefit rate, which is $943 per month in 2024.
  • The SSI top-up amount depends entirely on your SSDI payment amount; the lower your SSDI, the higher your potential SSI payment.
  • You must meet all other SSI rules — including resource limits of $2,000 for individuals — even if you are already receiving SSDI.
  • If you are under age 18 or a student under 19, different income rules may apply to your household, which can affect both your SSDI and SSI.

How the income calculation actually works

Social Security uses a straightforward subtraction. The federal benefit rate for SSI in 2024 is $943 per month for an individual (it is higher for couples). When you apply for SSI while already receiving SSDI, Social Security takes your monthly SSDI payment and subtracts it from $943. The remainder, if any, is your SSI payment.

Example: You receive $700 per month in SSDI. Social Security subtracts $700 from $943, leaving $243. You would receive $243 per month in SSI, for a total of $943. If you received $950 in SSDI, the subtraction would result in a negative number, so you would receive $0 in SSI.

This calculation happens automatically. You do not need to do anything to trigger it. Once Social Security has you in the SSDI system, they will check whether you also meet SSI rules and calculate any SSI payment owed.

When you might may have access to for both payments

You are most likely to receive both SSDI and SSI if you worked very little before becoming disabled, so your SSDI payment is low. SSDI amounts are based on your work history and earnings record. Someone who worked only a few years or at very low wages will have a lower SSDI payment than someone with a longer, higher-earning work history.

You may also receive both if you became disabled before age 22 and are now receiving Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits on a parent's or grandparent's Social Security record. DAC payments are often lower than standard SSDI, making an SSI top-up more likely.

Blind individuals and people over age 65 have higher SSI federal benefit rates, which means the income threshold for receiving SSI alongside SSDI is higher. In 2024, the federal benefit rate for a blind individual is $1,483 per month, and for someone age 65 or older it is $1,215 per month. This means a blind person or older adult with low SSDI could receive SSI even if a younger, non-blind person with the same SSDI amount would not.

Resource limits still apply even with SSDI

SSI has strict resource limits: $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and property you own (with some exceptions). If you receive SSDI, you do not have to follow resource limits for SSDI itself — you can have unlimited resources and still receive SSDI. However, if you are also receiving SSI, those resource limits apply to your SSI payment.

This means you could have $50,000 in a savings account and still receive your full SSDI payment, but that same $50,000 would disqualify you from SSI. You would need to spend down or move resources to fall below $2,000 before SSI would begin paying you.

Certain resources do not count toward the limit, including your home, one vehicle, household goods, and life insurance policies under certain values. Work incentives programs can also allow you to set aside money in a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) without it counting against your resource limit.

What happens if your SSDI amount changes

If your SSDI payment increases — for example, due to a cost-of-living adjustment — your SSI payment will decrease by the same amount. Social Security recalculates your SSI every year when SSDI adjustments happen, and whenever your SSDI amount changes for any reason.

If your SSDI decreases, your SSI payment may increase to compensate. For instance, if you were receiving $700 SSDI and $243 SSI, and your SSDI dropped to $650 due to a work-related reduction, your SSI would increase to $293 to keep your total at $943.

You do not need to report these changes yourself. Social Security tracks SSDI and SSI together in their system and adjusts your payments automatically.

How to apply for SSI if you already receive SSDI

If you are receiving SSDI but have never applied for SSI, you can file an SSI claim at your local Social Security office, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or online at ssa.gov. Tell Social Security that you are already receiving SSDI and want to be considered for SSI as well.

You will need to provide information about your resources (bank accounts, property, vehicles), your living situation (whether you pay rent or live with family), and any income other than SSDI. Social Security will verify your disability status using information they already have from your SSDI case, so you will not need to submit medical evidence again.

Processing typically takes 30 to 60 days. If you are found to be SSI-may be able to access, your first SSI payment may be retroactive to the month you filed, depending on when Social Security receives your application.

Special situations: Couples and household members

If you are married and both spouses receive SSDI, each person's SSDI is counted separately when calculating SSI. The federal benefit rate for an SSI couple is $1,415 per month in 2024. Social Security adds both spouses' SSDI payments together and subtracts that total from $1,415 to determine any SSI payment.

If you live with family members who receive SSDI or other income, their income may be deemed to you under SSI rules, which could reduce or eliminate your SSI payment. This is called in-kind support and maintenance (ISM). For example, if a parent pays for your food and housing, part of their income may be counted as support they are providing to you, reducing your SSI.

If you are under age 18, your parents' income and resources are deemed to you automatically, regardless of whether they actually help you. This can make it difficult or impossible to receive SSI while living with parents, even if you receive SSDI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will getting SSDI automatically put me on SSI too?

No. SSDI and SSI are separate programs with different rules. You must file a separate application for SSI. However, once you are receiving SSDI, Social Security will consider you for SSI based on your income and resources. If you think you might be may be able to access, contact Social Security to file an SSI claim.

What if I receive SSDI but my payment is very low — like $200 a month?

You would likely receive a substantial SSI top-up payment. With a $200 SSDI payment, you could receive up to $743 in SSI (assuming the 2024 federal benefit rate of $943), for a total of $943 per month. The exact amount depends on your resources and living situation.

If I get married, how does that affect my SSDI and SSI?

Your SSDI payment does not change when you marry. Your SSI payment may change because Social Security counts your spouse's income and resources when calculating your SSI. If your spouse has income or resources above certain limits, your SSI payment could decrease or stop entirely.

Can I receive SSI if I have too many resources but still get SSDI?

Yes, you can receive SSDI with unlimited resources. But you cannot receive SSI if you have more than $2,000 in resources. You would need to spend down or move those resources below the limit to become SSI-may be able to access, even though your SSDI would continue.

Does my SSDI count as income when I apply for other benefits like food stamps?

Yes. Most means-tested programs count SSDI as income when determining your may be able to access. However, some programs have higher income limits or different counting rules than SSI does. Check with each program separately rather than assuming the rules are the same.