You might have heard that SSI and SSDI are two completely separate programs—and that's true. But what many people don't realize is that you can actually receive both at the same time. It's called being a "concurrent beneficiary," and it can make a real difference in your monthly income if you qualify.
In this article, we'll cover:
- The key differences between SSI and SSDI
- How someone can qualify for both programs simultaneously
- Who is most likely to be a concurrent beneficiary
- How your payment amounts work when you receive both
- The rules and limits you need to follow when getting both benefits
- How concurrent benefits affect Medicaid and Medicare
Understanding the Difference Between SSI and SSDI
Before diving into how you can get both, it helps to understand what makes each program different. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is an earned benefit based on your work history. You qualify by having enough work credits—earned by paying Social Security taxes—and by meeting Social Security's definition of disability. Your SSDI payment amount depends on your lifetime earnings, and in 2026 the average SSDI payment is about $1,630 per month, with a maximum of $4,152 per month.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people who are disabled, blind, or age 65 and older with very limited income and resources. You don't need any work history to qualify for SSI. The maximum federal SSI payment in 2026 is $994 per month for an individual and $1,491 per month for a couple. However, SSI comes with strict financial requirements: your countable resources can't exceed $2,000 as an individual or $3,000 as a couple.
How Can You Qualify for Both?
The scenario where someone receives both SSI and SSDI usually happens when a person qualifies for SSDI, but their SSDI payment is relatively low. Since SSDI is based on your earnings history, someone who worked in lower-paying jobs or who became disabled earlier in their career may receive a small SSDI check—sometimes just a few hundred dollars a month.
If your SSDI payment is low enough, you may still meet SSI's income requirements. Social Security counts your SSDI as "unearned income" when calculating SSI eligibility, but after applying a $20 general income exclusion, the remaining amount reduces your SSI payment dollar for dollar. So if your SSDI is below the SSI maximum of $994 per month, the math may work out so that you're eligible for a partial SSI payment that brings your total closer to the SSI maximum.
For example, if your SSDI payment is $500 per month, Social Security would subtract $20 (the general income exclusion) and count $480 against your SSI. Your SSI payment would then be approximately $994 minus $480, or $514 per month—giving you a combined total of about $1,014.
Who Typically Gets Both Benefits?
Concurrent beneficiaries tend to fall into a few categories. People who became disabled at a young age often qualify because they didn't have the chance to build up a long earnings history, resulting in a lower SSDI payment. Similarly, people who worked in low-wage jobs or who had gaps in their employment may receive a small SSDI amount that still leaves them eligible for SSI.
Adult children who receive SSDI on a parent's record (called Disabled Adult Child benefits, or DAC) are another common group. These benefits are based on the parent's earnings record, and the amount may be low enough to still allow SSI eligibility.
Rules You Need to Follow as a Concurrent Beneficiary
Receiving both benefits means you're subject to the rules of both programs—and that's where things can get complicated. You'll need to follow SSI's resource limit of $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (couple), which means monitoring your bank account and assets carefully. You'll also need to report any changes in income, living arrangements, or resources to Social Security, just as any SSI recipient would.
On the SSDI side, you'll need to report any work activity. The SGA limit for 2026 is $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,830 for blind individuals. Earning above SGA can affect your SSDI, and any earned income will also reduce your SSI payment through SSI's earned income calculation.
The good news is that if you're working, SSI treats earned income more favorably than unearned income—Social Security excludes the first $65 of earnings plus half of the remainder. This means working part-time while receiving concurrent benefits can actually increase your total income.
How Concurrent Benefits Affect Your Healthcare
One of the biggest advantages of receiving both SSI and SSDI is access to both Medicaid and Medicare. SSDI recipients become eligible for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period from their entitlement date. SSI recipients typically qualify for Medicaid immediately in most states.
As a concurrent beneficiary, you can have both forms of coverage, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Medicare serves as your primary insurance, while Medicaid can help cover premiums, copays, and services that Medicare doesn't cover. This dual coverage—sometimes called being a "dual eligible"—can be incredibly valuable for managing the healthcare costs that often come with living with a disability.
Making the Most of Concurrent Benefits
If you think you might qualify for both SSI and SSDI, it's worth contacting Social Security to explore your options. If you're already receiving SSDI with a low payment amount and you meet SSI's income and resource requirements, you may be able to apply for SSI to supplement your income.
Managing two benefit programs at once means staying on top of more rules, but the financial and healthcare advantages can be significant. Keeping organized records and using tools designed for benefit recipients can help you stay compliant with both programs' requirements.
Receiving both SSI and SSDI means juggling two sets of rules. Purple's checking account helps you track your resources and stay compliant, so you can focus on what matters instead of worrying about benefit limits.