Many people don't realize you can receive both SSI and SSDI at the same time. This is called "concurrent benefits." Here's how it works and who qualifies.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What concurrent benefits means
- Who qualifies for both
- How payment amounts work
- Rules for concurrent beneficiaries
1. What Concurrent Benefits Means
The basics:
- Receiving SSI and SSDI simultaneously
- Called "concurrent" or "dual" benefits
- SSDI is your primary benefit
- SSI supplements the SSDI
Why it happens:
- SSDI amount is low (based on work history)
- SSI fills the gap up to the SSI maximum
- Combined income still meets need criteria
- Both programs serve different purposes
How many people:
- Over 1 million people receive concurrent benefits
- Common among those with limited work history
- Or those who became disabled young
- Or with low lifetime earnings
2. Who Qualifies for Both
You may qualify if:
- You meet SSDI disability requirements
- AND your SSDI payment is low
- AND you meet SSI income/resource limits
- AND you meet other SSI requirements
SSDI requirements:
- Enough work credits
- Meet disability definition
- Not earning over SGA
SSI requirements (while on SSDI):
- SSDI payment counts as unearned income
- After $20 exclusion, must still qualify for some SSI
- Resources under $2,000 ($3,000 couple)
- Meet citizenship/residency requirements
Example calculation:
- SSDI payment: $600/month
- Minus $20 income exclusion = $580 countable
- SSI maximum: $967
- $967 - $580 = $387 SSI supplement
Important: Your SSDI counts as income for SSI purposes, but you may still qualify for a supplemental payment.
3. How Payment Amounts Work
Maximum combined benefit:
- SSDI + SSI = approximately SSI federal maximum
- Total usually around $967/month (2026)
- State supplements may add more
- Never quite double benefits
The math:
- Start with SSI maximum ($967)
- Subtract SSDI (minus $20 exclusion)
- Remainder is your SSI amount
Example scenarios:
| SSDI Amount | Countable ($-20) | SSI Supplement | Total | |-------------|------------------|----------------|-------| | $400 | $380 | $587 | $987 | | $600 | $580 | $387 | $987 | | $800 | $780 | $187 | $987 | | $947+ | $927+ | $0 | SSDI only |
When SSI stops:
- If SSDI is high enough, no SSI supplement
- SSDI over ~$947 usually means no SSI
- Just receive SSDI alone
- State supplements have different thresholds
4. Rules for Concurrent Beneficiaries
Resource limits apply:
- Still must meet SSI $2,000 limit
- SSDI alone has no resource limit
- But SSI portion does
- Track your resources carefully
Income reporting:
- Report any additional income
- Affects both programs differently
- Keep SSA informed
- Changes can affect SSI portion
Healthcare coverage:
- SSDI → Medicare (after 24-month wait)
- SSI → Medicaid (usually immediate)
- May have both eventually
- Called "dual eligible"
Payment dates:
- SSDI paid based on birth date
- SSI paid on the 1st
- May receive two deposits monthly
- Different schedules
Working while concurrent:
- SSDI work rules apply to SSDI portion
- SSI work rules apply to SSI portion
- Both have work incentives
- More complex to navigate
Managing Concurrent Benefits
Track everything:
- Both payment amounts
- Payment dates
- Resource limits (for SSI)
- Income changes
Report changes:
- To both programs when applicable
- Income affects both
- Resources affect SSI
- Don't assume one report covers both
Understand transitions:
- Medicare starts after 24 months on SSDI
- SSI portion may change with COLA
- SSDI increases may reduce SSI
- Recalculated annually
How Purple Helps
Purple works well for concurrent beneficiaries:
- Track deposits from both programs
- Early access for SSI and SSDI
- Monitor SSI resource limits
- Clear view of all benefits
- Simplified money management