The Core Difference: Work History vs. Financial Need

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your own work record and the taxes you paid into Social Security. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is based on financial need, not work history. If you worked and paid Social Security taxes before becoming disabled, you may receive SSDI. If you have little or no work history, or if your SSDI payment is very low, you may receive SSI instead or in addition.

The two programs are run by the same agency — the Social Security Administration — but they use completely different rules to decide who receives money and how much. Understanding which one you might receive depends on your age, your work history, and how much money and property you own.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI requires you to have worked and paid Social Security taxes; SSI requires you to have limited income and resources regardless of work history.
  • SSDI payments are based on your earnings record; SSI payments are the same for everyone in your state (with small variations for living situation).
  • SSI has strict limits on how much money and property you can own; SSDI has no resource limits once you are approved.
  • You can receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time if your SSDI payment falls below your state's SSI limit.
  • Family members can receive benefits on your SSDI record; only you receive SSI (though your household income affects the amount).

How Work History Determines Which Program You Receive

To receive SSDI, you must have worked long enough and recently enough to have built up a Social Security work record. The Social Security Administration measures this in "credits" — you earn one credit for every $1,730 of wages you earn in a year (this dollar amount changes each year). Most people need 40 credits total, with at least 20 of those credits earned in the 10 years before they became disabled. If you are under 31, the rules are different and generally require fewer credits.

SSI has no work history requirement. You can receive SSI if you are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older, and if your income and resources fall below the limit. This is why SSI exists — to help people who have never worked, or who worked very little, and now need financial support.

If you worked but do not have enough credits for SSDI, you cannot receive SSDI. You may still receive SSI if your income and resources are low enough. If you have some work credits but not enough, Social Security will tell you during the application process which program you might receive.

Income and Resource Limits: The Major Difference

SSI has strict limits on how much money and property you can own. As of 2024, you can own no more than $2,000 in countable resources if you are single, or $3,000 if you are married and both spouses receive SSI. This includes cash, bank accounts, stocks, and most other property. Your home and one vehicle do not count toward this limit, but a second car, a boat, or extra land does.

SSDI has no resource limit. Once you are approved for SSDI, you can own as much money and property as you want. You can inherit money, win a lawsuit settlement, or save your SSDI payments without losing your benefits.

Income limits for SSI also exist. In 2024, the federal SSI payment is $943 per month for an individual. If you have other income — from a job, from family members, from pensions — that income reduces your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar (with some exceptions for work income). SSDI has no income limit. You can work and earn as much as you want without losing SSDI benefits, though there are separate rules about how much you can earn while still being considered disabled.

How Much You Receive Each Month

SSDI payments vary widely because they are based on your lifetime earnings. If you earned a high salary and paid high Social Security taxes, your SSDI payment will be higher. If you earned a low salary, your SSDI payment will be lower. The average SSDI payment in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but payments range from a few hundred dollars to over $3,800 per month depending on your work history.

SSI payments are the same for everyone in your state (with small adjustments based on living situation). The federal SSI payment is $943 per month for an individual living independently. If you live with family members or in a group home, the amount may be lower. Some states add money to the federal SSI payment — called a "state supplement" — which means SSI recipients in those states receive more than $943 per month.

If you receive SSDI but your payment is very low — lower than the SSI limit in your state — you may receive both SSDI and SSI. Social Security will pay your SSDI first, then add SSI to bring your total up to the SSI limit. This is called "concurrent benefits."

Family Members and Dependents

If you receive SSDI, your spouse, children, and sometimes your parents can receive benefits based on your work record. A spouse can receive up to 50 percent of your SSDI payment; a child can receive up to 75 percent. The total amount paid to your whole family cannot exceed about 150 to 180 percent of your own payment, but multiple family members can share in your benefits.

SSI is only for you. Your spouse and children cannot receive SSI based on your need. However, if your spouse or children also have a disability, they can apply for their own SSI or SSDI based on their own circumstances. Your household income and resources do affect how much SSI you receive — if your spouse works and earns money, part of that income counts against your SSI payment.

Medicare, Medicaid, and Health Coverage

SSDI recipients receive Medicare after 24 months of receiving SSDI benefits. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people over 65 and for some disabled people. You pay premiums for Medicare (though the premiums are often deducted from your SSDI payment).

SSI recipients receive Medicaid automatically in most states. Medicaid is the joint federal-state health insurance program for low-income people. Medicaid is free — there are no premiums. In a few states, SSI recipients must apply for Medicaid separately, but in most states, receiving SSI automatically means you receive Medicaid.

This is a major practical difference. If you receive SSDI, you need to budget for Medicare premiums and copays. If you receive SSI, Medicaid covers your health care at no cost to you.

What Happens If You Work or Your Circumstances Change

Both SSDI and SSI have rules about what happens if you return to work. SSDI has a "trial work period" that allows you to work and earn money for nine months without losing your benefits. After the trial work period, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), your benefits stop, but you can restart them if you stop working or your earnings drop.

SSI has different work rules. You can earn up to $65 per month plus half of any earnings above that without losing SSI. This means you can work part-time and still receive most of your SSI payment. However, if your earnings are high enough, your SSI will stop.

If your circumstances change — you inherit money, you get married, you move to a different state — you must report the change to Social Security. For SSI, changes in income or resources can reduce or stop your payment. For SSDI, most changes do not affect your payment, except for changes in your medical condition or if you return to work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time?

Yes. If your SSDI payment is lower than your state's SSI limit, Social Security will pay your SSDI first, then add SSI to bring your total payment up to the SSI limit. This is called concurrent benefits. You must meet the SSI resource and income limits for this to happen.

What if I worked but not long enough to may have access to for SSDI?

You cannot receive SSDI if you do not have enough work credits. However, you may receive SSI if your income and resources are low enough. Social Security will tell you during the application process whether you may have access to for SSI instead.

Do I lose my benefits if I inherit money?

If you receive SSDI, no — you can inherit money and keep your benefits. If you receive SSI, yes — if the inheritance brings your resources above $2,000 (or $3,000 if married), your SSI will stop until you spend the money down below the limit. This is why SSI recipients sometimes use special trusts to hold inherited money.

Can my family members receive benefits on my SSI?

No. SSI is only for you. However, if your spouse or children are also disabled or over 65, they can apply for their own SSI or SSDI based on their own work history or need. Your household income does affect how much SSI you receive.

Which program should I apply for?

You do not choose — Social Security decides based on your work history and circumstances. If you have enough work credits, you will receive SSDI. If you do not have enough work credits but your income and resources are low, you will receive SSI. If you have some work credits but not enough, Social Security will tell you which program applies to you.