Social Security has two separate disability programs, and which one you may use depends on your work history, not your condition
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are the two programs that pay benefits to people with disabilities. They have different rules about who can receive them, how much they pay, and what happens to your benefits if you earn money. The program you use depends on whether you or a family member paid into Social Security through work, not on how severe your disability is.
Both programs use the same definition of disability: a condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. But the path to getting there, and what you receive once approved, is different for each one.
Key Takeaways
- SSDI is based on your own work history or a family member's work history; SSI is based on your current income and assets, regardless of work history.
- SSDI can pay you, your spouse, and your children; SSI pays only you, though your family's income may affect how much you receive.
- SSDI has no limit on how much money you can have in savings; SSI limits you to $2,000 in countable resources ($3,000 for a couple).
- Both programs require the same medical evidence of disability, but the financial rules that determine whether you receive benefits are completely separate.
SSDI: Disability based on your work record
SSDI pays benefits to you if you have worked and paid Social Security taxes, and you become unable to work because of a disability. You must have earned enough work credits — which you accumulate by working and paying taxes — to be insured. The number of credits you need depends on your age when the disability begins, but generally you need 40 credits, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before you became disabled.
SSDI also pays your spouse (at any age if they care for your child under 16, or at 62 or older), your unmarried children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school), and your adult children if their disability began before age 22. These family members do not need their own work history. The total amount paid to your whole family is capped at a percentage of your benefit amount, usually between 150 and 180 percent.
If you work while receiving SSDI, Social Security allows you to earn up to a certain amount each month without losing benefits — in 2024 this is $1,550, though the amount changes yearly. Above that, you lose $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn. This rule applies for nine months in any rolling 60-month period; after that, you enter a different phase where you can work more freely while still receiving benefits if your earnings stay below a higher threshold.
SSI: Disability based on financial need
SSI pays benefits to you if you have a disability and your income and resources fall below certain limits. You do not need any work history. SSI is a needs-based program, meaning Social Security looks at what money you have coming in each month and what you own.
In 2024, the monthly SSI payment for an individual is $943 (the amount changes yearly). If you have other income — from a job, from family members, from pensions — Social Security subtracts most of it from your SSI payment. The first $65 of earned income each month is not counted, and half of anything above that is not counted, but the rest reduces your benefit dollar-for-dollar.
SSI also has strict limits on what you can own. You can have no more than $2,000 in countable resources if you are single, or $3,000 if you are married. Countable resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. Your home and one vehicle do not count. Many personal items do not count. If you go over the resource limit, you lose SSI entirely until your resources drop back below the limit.
Unlike SSDI, SSI does not pay family members based on your disability. Your spouse's income and resources count toward your SSI limit, which can reduce or eliminate your benefit.
How the medical definition of disability is the same for both programs
To receive either SSDI or SSI, you must meet Social Security's definition of disability. You must have a medical condition — physical, mental, or both — that prevents you from doing substantial work. "Substantial work" means earning more than a certain amount per month; in 2024 this is $1,550 for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals. The condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
Social Security does not have a list of disabilities that automatically may have access to. Instead, a disability examiner reviews your medical records, test results, and statements from your doctors to decide whether your condition meets the definition. The same medical evidence is used for both SSDI and SSI decisions. Your condition does not have to be visible or obvious. Many people approved for disability benefits have conditions like chronic pain, mental illness, or cognitive disorders that are not apparent to someone meeting them.
If you are denied for SSDI because you do not have enough work credits, you may still be able to receive SSI if your income and resources are low enough. The two programs can work together in this way.
Comparing SSDI and SSI side by side
| Feature | SSDI | SSI |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | Your work history or a family member's work history | Your current income and assets |
| Work credits required | Yes (usually 40, with 20 in last 10 years) | No |
| Who can receive benefits | You, your spouse, children, and adult children disabled before age 22 | Only you (though family income may affect your amount) |
| Resource limit | None | $2,000 for individual; $3,000 for couple |
| Earnings allowed | $1,550/month (2024) without losing benefits, then reduced benefits up to a higher threshold | $65/month earned income not counted; half of earnings above that not counted |
| Medical definition of disability | Same as SSI | Same as SSDI |
What happens if you receive both SSDI and SSI
Some people receive both programs at the same time. This usually happens when someone's SSDI benefit is very small — perhaps because they had limited work history — and their income and resources still fall below the SSI limit. Social Security pays the SSDI benefit first, then adds SSI to bring the total up to the SSI payment amount for that year.
The resource limit for SSI still applies even if you are also receiving SSDI. If you have more than $2,000 in countable resources, you lose the SSI portion, though you keep the SSDI. This is one reason why people receiving both programs must be careful about saving money or receiving lump-sum payments.
How a lawyer can help you understand which program applies to you
A disability lawyer can review your work history and current financial situation to tell you which program you may be able to use. If you have worked and paid Social Security taxes, a lawyer can check your work credits and explain whether you have enough to may have access to for SSDI. If you have not worked much or have very low income, a lawyer can explain how SSI works and what resource limits mean for your situation.
Lawyers also help people who are denied benefits understand why the denial happened and what medical evidence or other information might be missing from their case. Sometimes a denial is based on a misunderstanding of your work history or income, and a lawyer can correct that. Other times, the medical evidence needs to be stronger, and a lawyer can help you gather better documentation from your doctors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get SSDI if I have never worked?
No, SSDI requires work credits earned through employment and paying Social Security taxes. If you have never worked, you may be able to receive SSI instead, as long as your income and resources are low enough. You could also potentially receive SSDI based on a parent's or spouse's work history if you became disabled before age 22 or are married to someone receiving SSDI.
What is the difference between the amount SSDI and SSI pay?
SSDI benefit amounts are based on your lifetime earnings record. The more you earned and paid into Social Security, the higher your benefit. SSI pays a set amount each month — $943 in 2024 for an individual — though this is reduced if you have other income. SSDI has no income limit, so you keep your full benefit no matter what else you earn (subject to the work incentive rules), while SSI is reduced dollar-for-dollar by most other income.
If I am denied SSDI, can I try for SSI instead?
Yes. A denial of SSDI does not prevent you from explore for SSI. In fact, Social Security will often evaluate you for SSI automatically if you are denied SSDI. The two programs have different financial rules, so you may not meet SSDI's work credit requirement but still meet SSI's income and resource limits. A lawyer can help you understand whether SSI is an option in your situation.
Do I lose my SSDI if I inherit money or receive a settlement?
SSDI has no resource limit, so inheriting money or receiving a settlement does not affect your SSDI benefit. However, if you also receive SSI, the inheritance or settlement counts as a resource, and you could lose SSI if your total resources exceed $2,000. If you receive SSDI only, you keep your full benefit regardless of how much money you have.
Can my family members receive benefits based on my SSI?
No. SSI pays only you, not family members. SSDI is different — your spouse and children can receive benefits based on your work record. If you are receiving SSI, your spouse's income and resources count toward your SSI limit, which can reduce your benefit, but they do not receive a separate payment.