If you're navigating the world of disability benefits, you've probably seen the terms SSI and SSDI used almost interchangeably. But they're actually two very different programs with different eligibility rules, payment amounts, and restrictions. Understanding the difference matters because it affects everything from how much you receive to whether you have a resource limit on your bank account.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What SSI is and who qualifies
- What SSDI is and who qualifies
- Key differences in payment amounts and eligibility
- How resource limits apply to SSI but not SSDI
- Whether you can receive both at the same time
- How each program connects to health insurance
What Is SSI?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program administered by the Social Security Administration. It provides monthly payments to people who are aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled and who have limited income and resources. SSI is funded by general tax revenue, not Social Security taxes.
Because SSI is needs-based, it comes with strict financial requirements. To qualify, your countable resources must be below $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Social Security also looks at your income, and your SSI payment amount is reduced dollar-for-dollar (with some exclusions) based on what you earn or receive from other sources.
The maximum federal SSI payment in 2026 is $994 per month for an individual and $1,491 per month for a couple. Some states add a supplement on top of the federal amount, which can increase your total payment.
What Is SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is an insurance program that you earn eligibility for through your work history. When you work and pay Social Security taxes (FICA), you earn work credits. To qualify for SSDI, you generally need enough work credits, and you must have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability.
Unlike SSI, SSDI has no resource limit. You can have money in the bank, own property, and hold investments without affecting your eligibility. What matters is your work history and your medical condition, not your bank balance.
SSDI payment amounts vary based on your lifetime earnings. The average SSDI payment in 2026 is approximately $1,630 per month, and the maximum is $4,152 per month. Your specific amount depends on how much you earned and paid into the system during your working years.
The Key Differences at a Glance
The most fundamental difference is what each program is based on. SSI is based on financial need — you must have low income and minimal resources. SSDI is based on your work history — you must have earned enough credits through employment.
This leads to several practical differences. SSI has a resource limit; SSDI does not. SSI payments are the same for everyone at the federal level (adjusted for income); SSDI payments vary based on your earnings record. SSI is available to people who haven't worked or haven't worked enough; SSDI requires a sufficient work history.
Eligibility for other programs also differs. SSI recipients in most states are automatically eligible for Medicaid. SSDI recipients become eligible for Medicare, but only after a 24-month waiting period from when their benefits begin. This waiting period is one of the more frustrating aspects of SSDI, and it's worth planning for.
Can You Receive Both SSI and SSDI?
Yes. Some people qualify for both programs simultaneously — this is sometimes called receiving concurrent benefits. This typically happens when someone has a work history that qualifies them for SSDI, but their SSDI payment is low enough that they also meet SSI's income requirements.
In this situation, SSI essentially tops up your income to the SSI payment level. If your SSDI payment is $500 per month, for example, SSI might supplement that with an additional payment to bring your total closer to the $994 maximum. If you receive concurrent benefits, the SSI resource limit does apply to you because you're an SSI recipient.
How Each Program Affects Your Banking
This is where things get practical. If you receive only SSDI, your bank account balance doesn't affect your benefits. You can save freely, keep a buffer in your checking account, and build up a savings account without worrying about losing your monthly payment.
If you receive SSI — whether on its own or alongside SSDI — you need to be mindful of the $2,000 resource limit at all times. Your bank account balance on the first of each month matters, and going over the limit can result in suspended payments or overpayment notices.
This difference is why it's so important to know which program you're on. The rules that govern your daily financial life depend entirely on whether your benefits come from SSI, SSDI, or both.
Managing Your Benefits with Confidence
Whether you're on SSI, SSDI, or both, having the right financial tools makes life easier. For SSI recipients especially, a bank account that helps you track your resources relative to the limit can prevent costly mistakes. For everyone on disability benefits, having an account that understands your unique needs means less stress and more control.
Understanding the difference between SSI and SSDI is the first step to managing your benefits well. Purple offers checking accounts built for disability benefit recipients, with compliance tools that help SSI recipients stay within resource limits.