The difference comes down to your work history, not your disability

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your own work record or your parent's work record if you became disabled before age 22. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program that does not require work history — it depends on your income and assets right now.

The easiest way to know which one you receive is to look at your award letter or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask. But you can also figure it out by understanding what each program requires. If you worked and paid Social Security taxes before you became disabled, you likely receive SSDI. If you have never worked much or worked very recently, you likely receive SSI. Some people receive both at the same time, though the total payment is capped.

Your payment amount, the rules about how much you can earn, and what happens if you go back to work all differ between the two programs. Knowing which one you have matters because the rules that affect your money are different.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI requires you to have worked and paid Social Security taxes; SSI requires you to have low income and assets instead.
  • Your Social Security award letter will state which program you receive, or you can call Social Security directly to ask.
  • SSDI payments are based on your earnings record; SSI payments are the same amount for everyone in your state but reduced if you have other income.
  • The work incentives and rules about earning money while receiving benefits are different for each program, so knowing which you have affects your options.

How to check your award letter or statement

Your award letter is the document Social Security sent you when your case was approved. It will say "Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)" or "Supplemental Security Income (SSI)" near the top or in the section that explains your benefits. If you cannot find the original letter, you can request a new one by calling 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting your local Social Security office.

You can also check your Social Security Statement, which you can view online at ssa.gov if you create a my Social Security account. The statement shows your earnings record and will indicate which program you are on. If you do not have online access, Social Security can mail you a statement if you call and request one.

SSDI: Based on your work record

You receive SSDI if you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes before you became disabled. Social Security looks at your work history — usually the 10 years before you became disabled — to decide if you may have access to. The amount you receive each month is based on how much you earned during those working years. Someone who earned more during their career receives a higher SSDI payment than someone who earned less.

SSDI can also be paid to your spouse, ex-spouse, or adult children if they became disabled before age 22, even if they never worked themselves. In those cases, the payment is based on your work record, not theirs. This is called disabled adult child benefits or disabled widow/widower benefits, depending on the relationship.

You can earn money while on SSDI, but there are limits. In 2024, you can earn up to $1,550 per month without losing benefits (this amount changes each year). If you earn more than that, Social Security will reduce or stop your benefits. After nine months of work, you enter a period where you can test your ability to work without losing benefits — this is called the Trial Work Period. The rules are complex, so if you plan to work, contact Social Security first to understand how it will affect your payments.

SSI: Based on your current income and assets

You receive SSI if you have low income and low assets right now, regardless of whether you ever worked. SSI does not care about your work history. It cares about what you own and what money comes in each month. The program is designed for people with disabilities, blind individuals, or people age 65 and older who do not have enough money to live on.

The SSI payment amount is the same for everyone in your state (it varies by state, but in 2024 the federal base is $943 per month for an individual). If you have other income — from a job, from family members, from a pension — your SSI payment is reduced. If you have assets over the limit (currently $2,000 for an individual), you do not may have access to for SSI at all.

You can earn money while on SSI, but the first $65 per month you earn is not counted, and half of everything you earn above that is subtracted from your SSI payment. So if you earn $200 per month, Social Security counts $67.50 of it ($200 minus $65, divided by 2), and your SSI payment drops by $67.50. Unlike SSDI, there is no Trial Work Period — the reduction happens every month you work.

When you receive both SSDI and SSI

Some people receive both programs at the same time. This usually happens when someone's SSDI payment is very low — lower than the SSI payment amount in their state. Social Security pays the SSDI first, then adds SSI to bring the total up to the SSI payment level. This is called concurrent benefits.

If you receive both, the work rules are more complicated because you have to follow the rules for both programs. Your earnings will affect both payments, and the limits are different. If you plan to work, ask Social Security which rules apply to you specifically, because the combination of both programs creates different thresholds than either program alone.

What your award letter tells you

Your award letter will state your monthly payment amount and which program you receive. It will also explain the rules about how much you can earn and what to report to Social Security. If your letter says you receive both SSDI and SSI, it will show the SSDI amount and the SSI amount separately, and explain how they add up to your total payment.

Keep your award letter in a safe place. You will need it to prove your benefits status to employers, landlords, or other organizations. If you lose it, Social Security can send you another copy. Your award letter is also the document to check if you think your payment amount is wrong or if you want to understand why you were approved for one program instead of the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from SSI to SSDI or from SSDI to SSI?

You cannot switch programs by choice. Your program is determined by whether you meet the requirements for each one. If your work history changes or your income changes, your program status might change automatically. For example, if you start working and earn enough to may have access to for SSDI based on your new work record, Social Security may move you from SSI to SSDI. Contact Social Security if you think your situation has changed.

What if my award letter does not say which program I receive?

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask directly. Have your Social Security number ready. They can tell you in a few minutes which program you are on and explain why. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person if you prefer to speak face-to-face.

Does it matter which program I receive if I want to work?

Yes, it matters a lot. SSDI allows you to earn $1,550 per month (in 2024) before benefits are affected, and you have a nine-month Trial Work Period. SSI reduces your payment by 50 cents for every dollar you earn above $65 per month. If you plan to work, knowing which program you receive helps you understand how much you can earn without losing too much in benefits.

If I receive SSI, can I ever may have access to for SSDI?

Yes, if you work and build up a work record. After you have worked long enough and paid enough Social Security taxes, you may become may be able to access for SSDI based on your own work history. Social Security will automatically check this when you report your earnings. You would then receive SSDI instead of SSI, or both programs together if your SSDI payment is low.