It might seem like SSI and SSDI are an either/or situation, but many people actually receive both benefits simultaneously. If your SSDI payment is on the lower side, you could be eligible for what's known as concurrent benefits — and it's worth understanding how this works, because it can mean more money in your pocket each month.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What concurrent SSI and SSDI benefits mean
- Who qualifies to receive both programs at once
- How your payment amounts are calculated when you get both
- Which rules you need to follow as a concurrent beneficiary
- How concurrent benefits affect your health insurance coverage
- Tips for managing your finances when receiving both SSI and SSDI
What Are Concurrent Benefits?
Concurrent benefits simply means you're receiving payments from both the SSI and SSDI programs at the same time. This happens more often than you might think, and it's completely legitimate — Social Security designed the system to work this way.
The reason concurrent benefits exist goes back to the fundamental difference between the two programs. SSDI payments are based on your work history, so someone who worked in lower-wage jobs or didn't work for very many years might end up with a relatively small SSDI check. SSI, on the other hand, is designed to provide a minimum income floor for people with disabilities who have limited resources. When your SSDI payment falls below that floor, SSI steps in to fill the gap.
Who Qualifies for Both?
To receive concurrent benefits, you need to meet the eligibility requirements for both programs. For SSDI, that means having enough work credits and meeting Social Security's definition of disability. For SSI, that means your total income (including your SSDI payment) is low enough and your countable resources are below the limit — $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple in 2026.
Here's a common scenario: imagine someone who worked part-time for several years, earning modest wages. They become disabled and qualify for SSDI, but because their earnings were low, their SSDI check is only $600 per month. Since the federal SSI rate in 2026 is $994 per month, there's a gap. As long as this person also meets SSI's resource requirements, they could receive an SSI supplement to help close that gap.
It's worth noting that your SSDI payment counts as unearned income for SSI purposes. Social Security uses a formula that excludes the first $20 of unearned income, then reduces your SSI payment dollar-for-dollar after that. So if your SSDI check is $600, Social Security would count $580 of that as income against your SSI, resulting in an SSI supplement of about $414 per month ($994 minus $580).
How Payment Amounts Work
The math behind concurrent benefits follows SSI's income counting rules. Here's the general formula: Social Security takes your SSDI payment, subtracts the $20 general income exclusion, and then reduces your SSI benefit by the remaining amount.
The total you receive between both programs will be close to the full SSI rate for your state, plus the $20 exclusion. In practice, people receiving concurrent benefits typically receive a total monthly income that's modestly higher than what they'd get from SSI alone.
If your SSDI payment increases — say, through a cost-of-living adjustment — your SSI supplement will decrease by the same amount. The two programs essentially balance each other out, keeping your total income relatively stable.
Rules You'll Need to Follow
This is the part that catches many people off guard. When you receive concurrent benefits, you're subject to both sets of program rules, and SSI's rules are the stricter ones.
That means you need to follow SSI's resource limit of $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (couple). You'll need to report any changes in your income, living situation, or resources to Social Security. And you'll go through SSI's periodic redeterminations, where Social Security reviews your financial situation to make sure you still qualify.
The resource limit is particularly important to watch. Because you're receiving income from two sources, it might be tempting to let some money accumulate in your bank account. But if your countable resources exceed the limit at any point — even for a single day — you could lose your SSI supplement and potentially face an overpayment.
Health Insurance With Concurrent Benefits
One significant advantage of receiving concurrent benefits is that you may qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare, giving you what's sometimes called "dual eligibility."
SSI typically qualifies you for Medicaid in most states, either automatically or through a simplified application. SSDI qualifies you for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period from when your SSDI benefits begin. Having both can provide comprehensive coverage, since Medicare and Medicaid cover different services and work together to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
If you're in the 24-month Medicare waiting period, your Medicaid coverage through SSI can serve as your primary health insurance until Medicare kicks in.
Managing Your Finances as a Concurrent Beneficiary
Living on concurrent benefits means paying close attention to your bank account balance and spending patterns. The SSI resource limit doesn't leave much room for saving, so you'll want to develop strategies to keep your countable resources in check while still covering your expenses.
One option worth exploring is an ABLE account, which lets eligible individuals with disabilities save up to $20,000 per year without affecting their SSI eligibility. Money in an ABLE account (up to $100,000) is excluded from SSI's resource count, giving you a way to build some financial cushion.
Using a bank account designed for benefit recipients can also make a big difference. When you can see your resource total at a glance and understand how close you are to the limit, you're better equipped to make smart financial decisions throughout the month.
Tracking resources across two benefit programs doesn't have to be stressful. Purple's checking account is built for SSI and SSDI recipients, with tools that help you monitor your balance and stay within SSI's resource limits.