SSI vs SSDI: What's the Difference and How to Apply

The Fundamental Difference

The core distinction is simple: SSDI is insurance you've paid for through payroll taxes, while SSI is a safety-net program for people with limited income and resources. This fundamental difference shapes everything about how the two programs work.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is earned through work. Every paycheck you've received had FICA taxes taken out—that money went toward Social Security, including disability insurance. If you become disabled after working long enough to earn sufficient "work credits," you can collect SSDI regardless of your current income or savings.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) doesn't require any work history. It's designed for people who are disabled, blind, or over 65 with very limited income and resources. Even if you've never worked a day in your life, you can qualify for SSI if you meet the medical and financial requirements.

Who Qualifies for SSDI?

To receive SSDI, you need to meet both a medical requirement and a work history requirement.

The Medical Requirement

Social Security defines disability strictly: you must have a medical condition that prevents you from doing "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. In 2026, SGA means earning more than $1,660 per month (or $2,770 if you're blind).

SSA evaluates your condition through a five-step process that considers how your impairment affects your ability to work—not just any work, but work you've done before and any other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy.

The Work Credits Requirement

You earn work credits by paying Social Security taxes. In 2026, you earn one credit for every $1,850 in earnings, up to four credits per year. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you become disabled:

• Under 24: You may need as few as 6 credits earned in the 3 years before your disability
• 24-31: You generally need credits for half the time between age 21 and when you became disabled
• 31 and older: You typically need 40 credits (10 years of work), with 20 credits earned in the 10 years before your disability

Who Qualifies for SSI?

SSI has three pathways to eligibility: disability, blindness, or age 65+. For disability, the medical standard is identical to SSDI. The difference is what else you need to qualify.

Income Limits

SSI counts both earned income (wages) and unearned income (like other benefits or gifts). The calculation is complex, but generally:

• The first $20 of most income per month is excluded
• The first $65 of earned income plus half of remaining earnings is excluded
• What's left reduces your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar

Resource Limits

You can't have more than $2,000 in countable resources ($3,000 for couples). Countable resources include bank accounts, cash, stocks, and most property. Excluded resources include your home, one vehicle, household goods, and burial funds up to $1,500.

This limit hasn't been updated since 1989, which is why many advocates are pushing for reform. Until then, SSI recipients must carefully manage their resources to stay eligible.

How Much Will You Receive?

SSDI Payment Amounts

Your SSDI payment is based on your average lifetime earnings covered by Social Security. The more you earned (and paid into the system), the higher your benefit. In 2026, the average SSDI payment is about $1,630 per month, but payments can range from a few hundred dollars to the maximum of $4,127.

You can check your estimated SSDI benefit by creating a my Social Security account and viewing your Social Security Statement.

SSI Payment Amounts

SSI has a federal benefit rate set by law: $994 per month for individuals and $1,491 for couples in 2026. Many states add a supplement, so your actual payment may be higher.

Unlike SSDI, your SSI payment is reduced by other income. If you receive both SSDI and SSI, your SSDI counts as unearned income and reduces your SSI payment.

Healthcare Coverage

SSDI → Medicare

SSDI recipients qualify for Medicare, but there's a catch: a 24-month waiting period from when your disability began (not when you applied). This gap in coverage is one of the biggest challenges for new SSDI recipients. Some people bridge the gap with COBRA, marketplace insurance, or Medicaid if they qualify.

After the waiting period, you get Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) premium-free. Part B (medical insurance) and Part D (prescription drugs) require monthly premiums.

SSI → Medicaid

In most states, SSI recipients automatically qualify for Medicaid with no waiting period. Medicaid often provides more comprehensive coverage than Medicare, including long-term care services, personal care attendants, and other supports that Medicare doesn't cover.

A few states (known as "209(b) states") use their own Medicaid eligibility criteria, so SSI doesn't automatically mean Medicaid coverage there.

Can You Receive Both SSI and SSDI?

Yes—this is called receiving concurrent benefits. It happens when you qualify for SSDI but your payment is low enough that you also meet SSI's income requirements.

For example, if your SSDI is $600 per month, you might also receive SSI to bring your total income closer to the federal benefit rate. Concurrent beneficiaries often get both Medicare (after the waiting period) and Medicaid, providing comprehensive healthcare coverage.

How to Apply

You can apply for both programs at once—SSA will determine which you qualify for.

Application Methods

• Online: Apply for SSDI at ssa.gov (SSI applications must be completed by phone or in person)
• Phone: Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
• In person: Schedule an appointment at your local Social Security office

What You'll Need

• Social Security number and proof of age
• Medical records, doctor contact information, and treatment history
• Work history for the past 15 years
• Information about medications and how your condition affects daily activities
• For SSI: bank statements, proof of income, and information about your living situation

The Approval Process

Be prepared for a lengthy process. Initial decisions typically take 3-6 months, and about 70% of applications are denied at first. Don't give up—many people are approved on appeal. The appeals process has four levels:

1. Reconsideration: A different examiner reviews your case
2. ALJ Hearing: You present your case to an administrative law judge
3. Appeals Council: Reviews the ALJ's decision
4. Federal Court: Final level of appeal

Most successful appeals are won at the ALJ hearing stage. Consider working with a disability attorney or advocate, especially if you need to appeal.

SSI vs SSDI Quick Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions