If you've ever felt confused about the difference between SSI and SSDI, you're not alone. These two Social Security programs serve people with disabilities, but they work in very different ways — and understanding which one applies to you can affect everything from how much you receive to what rules you need to follow.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What SSI and SSDI stand for and how each program works
- The key eligibility differences between SSI and SSDI
- How payment amounts compare for each program
- The resource and income rules that apply to SSI but not SSDI
- Whether you can receive both SSI and SSDI at the same time
- How each program connects to health insurance like Medicaid and Medicare
What Is SSI?
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a needs-based program run by the Social Security Administration. It provides monthly cash payments to people who are disabled, blind, or aged (65 and older) and who have limited income and resources.
The important thing to understand about SSI is that it's based on financial need, not your work history. You don't need to have ever worked or paid into Social Security to qualify. What matters is that you meet the disability criteria and that your countable income and resources fall below certain thresholds.
In 2026, the SSI resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. That means the total value of things you own — bank accounts, cash, stocks, and certain other assets — generally can't exceed those amounts. Your home, one vehicle, and certain other items are excluded from this count.
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 supplemental payment on top of the federal amount.
What Is SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, is an insurance program. Think of it like any other insurance — you pay into it through payroll taxes (those FICA deductions on your paycheck), and if you become disabled, you can draw benefits based on your earnings record.
To qualify for SSDI, you generally need to have worked long enough and recently enough to earn sufficient "work credits." In 2026, you earn one work credit for every $1,890 in wages, up to four credits per year. Most adults need 40 credits (about 10 years of work), with 20 of those credits earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled.
SSDI payments are based on your lifetime earnings, not on financial need. The average SSDI payment in 2026 is about $1,630 per month, and the maximum is $4,152 per month. Because SSDI is tied to your work history, there's no resource limit — you can have savings, own property, and have other assets without affecting your eligibility.
Key Differences Between SSI and SSDI
The biggest difference comes down to this: SSI is about financial need, while SSDI is about your work history and the insurance you've paid into.
With SSI, you face strict resource limits and income counting rules. Every dollar of income you receive can reduce your SSI payment, and going over the $2,000 resource limit can put your benefits at risk. This means SSI recipients need to be careful about how much money sits in their bank account at any given time.
SSDI recipients don't have resource limits. You can have money in savings, own investments, and accumulate assets without jeopardizing your benefits. However, SSDI does have rules about working. If you earn more than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit — $1,690 per month in 2026 for non-blind individuals — Social Security may determine you're no longer disabled.
Another key difference is health coverage. SSI typically connects you to Medicaid (in most states, SSI eligibility automatically qualifies you). SSDI connects you to Medicare, but there's a 24-month waiting period after your benefits start before Medicare kicks in.
Can You Get Both SSI and SSDI?
Yes, it's possible to receive both SSI and SSDI at the same time. This is sometimes called receiving "concurrent benefits."
This typically happens when your SSDI payment is very low — usually because your earnings history was limited. If your SSDI check is less than the SSI payment amount, SSI can make up the difference. For example, if your SSDI payment is $500 per month and the SSI rate in your state is $994, you might receive an SSI supplement to bring your total closer to that level.
When you receive concurrent benefits, you'll need to follow SSI's resource and income rules, since you're technically an SSI recipient as well. That means the $2,000 resource limit still applies to you.
How Each Program Handles Income
SSI has detailed rules about how income affects your payment. Social Security looks at both earned income (wages from working) and unearned income (like SSDI payments, pensions, or gifts). Generally, the more income you have, the lower your SSI payment becomes, though there are exclusions and deductions that can help.
SSDI doesn't reduce your payment based on income from savings, investments, or gifts. The main concern with SSDI is earned income from working. If your earnings consistently exceed the SGA limit, you could lose your SSDI benefits — though Social Security offers programs like the Trial Work Period that let you test your ability to work without immediately losing benefits.
Which Program Is Right for You?
You don't actually choose between SSI and SSDI — Social Security determines which program you qualify for based on your work history, disability status, and financial situation. When you apply for disability benefits, Social Security evaluates your eligibility for both programs automatically.
If you have enough work credits and meet the disability criteria, you'll likely qualify for SSDI. If you don't have sufficient work history but have limited income and resources, SSI may be the path. And if your SSDI payment is low enough, you might qualify for both.
Understanding which program you're on matters because it determines the rules you need to follow, especially when it comes to managing your finances. SSI recipients need to pay close attention to their bank account balances and report any changes in income or resources. SSDI recipients have more financial flexibility but need to be mindful of work activity.
Navigating SSI and SSDI rules can be overwhelming, but the right tools can help. Purple offers a checking account built for disability benefit recipients, with features that help SSI recipients track their resources and stay compliant with Social Security's rules.