Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a separate cash benefit for people with disabilities, blindness, or age 65 and older who have very low income and resources

If you receive SSDI as a dependent — meaning you get benefits based on a parent's or grandparent's work record — you may also be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is not an add-on to SSDI. It is a different program run by the Social Security Administration that pays cash to people whose own income and assets fall below specific limits. The key difference: SSDI is based on someone else's work history; SSI is based on your own financial need.

You can receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time, but SSI payments are reduced dollar-for-dollar by any SSDI you receive. This means SSI typically fills a gap rather than doubling your income. Whether you can get SSI depends on three things: your age or disability status, your monthly income, and your countable resources (savings, property, and other assets).

Key Takeaways

  • SSI is a needs-based program separate from SSDI; you can receive both, but SSI payments are reduced by the amount of SSDI you get.
  • To receive SSI, your countable resources must be under $2,000 (or $3,000 if you are married and both spouses receive SSI), and your monthly income must fall below the SSI federal benefit rate.
  • SSI includes Medicaid in most states, while SSDI leads to Medicare after 24 months; having both programs can give you access to both health insurance types.
  • You must report changes in income, living situation, or resources to Social Security within 10 days, or you may lose SSI payments or owe money back.
  • The SSI process is separate from your SSDI claim; you file it at your local Social Security office or online through Social Security's website.

How SSI Income and Resource Limits Work

SSI has strict limits on how much money you can have and still receive payments. Your countable resources — the cash and assets Social Security counts toward the limit — must stay under $2,000 if you are single. If you are married and both spouses receive SSI, the limit is $3,000 for the couple combined. Some things do not count: your home, one vehicle, household goods, and certain items like life insurance or burial funds up to $1,500 each.

Your monthly income also matters. Social Security subtracts certain amounts before counting income toward the SSI limit. The first $65 of earned income (money from work) and the first $20 of any other income do not count. After that, half of earned income does not count either. So if you work and earn $200 a month, Social Security counts only $90 of it ($200 minus $65 minus half of the remaining $135). If your countable income is below the federal benefit rate — which varies by state but is around $943 per month for an individual in 2024 — you may receive SSI.

Because SSDI payments count as income, SSI will reduce its payment by the full amount of your SSDI. If you receive $600 in SSDI and the SSI federal benefit rate is $943, SSI would pay you $343 (before any other income is subtracted). If your SSDI payment equals or exceeds the SSI rate, you receive no SSI payment at all.

When You Can Receive SSI as an SSDI Dependent

You are may be able to access for SSI based on your own circumstances, not your parent's work record. If you are under 18 and disabled, or between 18 and 19 and a full-time student, or 18 and older and blind or disabled, you can explore for SSI on your own. Your parent's income and resources are counted toward your SSI limit — this is called deeming — but you are still explore as an individual.

Deeming means Social Security adds a portion of your parent's income and resources to yours when deciding if you may have access to for SSI. If your parent earns a high income or has significant savings, deeming can push you over the SSI limit even if you personally have little money. The amount deemed depends on your parent's income minus certain deductions, and whether your parent is also receiving SSI or SSDI. Once you turn 18, deeming stops, and only your own income and resources count.

If you are already receiving SSDI as a dependent and your family's financial situation is tight, SSI may help bridge the gap. The process is separate: you file for SSI at your local Social Security office, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or online at ssa.gov. Bring proof of your income, resources, living situation, and citizenship or immigration status.

How SSI and SSDI Health Insurance Differ

One major reason to pursue SSI alongside SSDI is health insurance. SSDI leads to Medicare after you have received SSDI for 24 months. Medicare is a federal health insurance program with Part A (hospital), Part B (doctor visits), and optional Part D (prescription drugs). You pay premiums for Part B and Part D, though the amount is reduced if your income is low.

SSI, by contrast, typically comes with Medicaid in most states. Medicaid is state-run health insurance for people with low income. It covers doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and often services that Medicare does not, like dental and vision care. Some states have different rules — a few do not automatically give Medicaid to SSI recipients — so check with your state's Medicaid office. Having both Medicare (from SSDI) and Medicaid (from SSI) is called "dual may be able to access" status and can give you broader coverage.

If you receive only SSDI and not SSI, you get Medicare but not Medicaid. If you receive only SSI and not SSDI, you get Medicaid but not Medicare. The combination of both programs is often the most complete coverage available.

Reporting Changes and Avoiding Overpayments

SSI requires you to report certain changes to Social Security within 10 days. If your income changes, your living situation changes (for example, you move in with someone else or they move in with you), your resources increase, or your marital status changes, you must report it. Failure to report can result in an overpayment — money Social Security paid you that you were not may have access to to — and you will be asked to repay it.

You can report changes by phone at 1-800-772-1213, in person at your local Social Security office, or online through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Keep records of any changes: pay stubs, letters from employers, proof of new living arrangements, or bank statements. Social Security may ask for these to verify what you reported.

If you receive an overpayment notice, you have the right to request a waiver (asking Social Security to forgive the debt) or to set up a repayment plan. Waivers are granted if you were not at fault for the overpayment and repaying would cause you financial hardship. Request a waiver in writing within 60 days of receiving the overpayment notice.

how the process works for SSI as an SSDI Dependent

The SSI process is filed separately from your SSDI claim, even though both are handled by Social Security. You can explore online at ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/explore.html, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Have ready: your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or immigration status, bank account information, and details about any income or resources you have.

Social Security will ask about your living situation, whether anyone else in your household receives benefits, your work history (if any), and your medical condition if you are explore based on disability. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian will need to provide information about their income and resources because of deeming. Processing typically takes 30 to 60 days, though it can take longer if Social Security needs to verify information or obtain medical records.

After you explore, Social Security will send you a notice saying whether you are approved, denied, or approved for a different amount than you expected. If you are denied or disagree with the amount, you can request reconsideration within 60 days. This means Social Security will review your case again, usually with a different person. If you are still denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

SSI Work Incentives and Continuing to Receive Benefits

SSI includes work incentives designed to help you earn money without losing all your benefits. The most common is the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a specific work goal — like paying for job training or buying equipment for self-employment — without those amounts counting toward the SSI resource limit. A PASS must be in writing and approved by Social Security before you start setting money aside.

Another incentive is Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), which lets you deduct certain costs of working from your income before Social Security counts it. If you need a personal assistant, special transportation, or medical equipment to work, those costs can be deducted. This can lower your countable income and increase your SSI payment.

If you work and earn money, report it to Social Security each month. The first $65 of earned income and half of the rest do not count, as described earlier. Many people find they can work part-time and still receive some SSI, especially if they use PASS or IRWE. Ask Social Security about work incentives when you explore or call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a work incentives specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSI if my SSDI payment is already high?

No. SSI reduces its payment dollar-for-dollar by your SSDI amount. If your SSDI payment meets or exceeds the SSI federal benefit rate (around $943 monthly for an individual in 2024), you receive no SSI. SSI is designed to fill gaps for people with very low total income.

Does my parent's income count against my SSI limit?

Yes, if you are under 18 or a full-time student under 19. Social Security deems a portion of your parent's income and resources to you. Once you turn 18 (or 19 if a student), deeming stops and only your own income and resources count. This can make you newly may be able to access for SSI even if you were not before.

What happens to my SSI if I move in with someone else?

Your SSI payment may change. If you move in with someone who provides food or shelter, Social Security may count part of that as income to you, reducing your SSI. Report the move within 10 days. The exact reduction depends on your state and situation, so ask Social Security for details.

Can I have a savings account and still receive SSI?

Yes, but your total countable resources must stay under $2,000 (or $3,000 if married). Some savings accounts and funds do not count — for example, a dedicated account for a PASS or certain burial funds. Ask Social Security which accounts count toward your resource limit before opening a new account.

What is the difference between SSI Medicaid and regular Medicaid?

SSI Medicaid is Medicaid you receive because you get SSI. It is the same program as regular Medicaid — same coverage, same rules — but the path to getting it is through SSI rather than explore directly. Some states have slightly different rules for SSI Medicaid, so contact your state Medicaid office to confirm what is covered.