The main programs that pay disabled people

If you are disabled and cannot work, the federal government runs two cash benefit programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both are run by the Social Security Administration. SSDI is for people who worked and paid into Social Security; SSI is for people with very low income and resources, regardless of work history. Most states also run their own programs for people with specific disabilities or needs.

Beyond cash payments, you may be able to get health coverage through Medicare (if you receive SSDI) or Medicaid (if you receive SSI or have low income). Some states offer additional programs for housing, food, or job training. The program you can use depends on your work history, income, and the type of disability you have.

This guide explains what each major program does, who can use it, and what happens after you are approved. It does not determine whether you may have access to — only the Social Security Administration can make that decision.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI pays disabled people who worked and paid Social Security taxes; SSI pays disabled people with very low income and few resources, regardless of work history.
  • Both SSDI and SSI come with health coverage: Medicare for SSDI, Medicaid for SSI, though the timing and rules differ between the two.
  • You must have medical evidence that your condition prevents you from working at a substantial level — not just that you have a diagnosis.
  • The Social Security Administration takes two to three months to make a decision on most claims, and many are denied on the first try.
  • If you are denied, you can request reconsideration, ask for a hearing before a judge, or appeal further — each step takes additional time but gives you another chance to present evidence.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSDI is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. You do not have to be poor to receive it — your past earnings are what matter. The amount you receive is based on your work history and the age at which you became disabled. The average SSDI payment in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but this varies widely depending on your earnings record.

To receive SSDI, you must have a medical condition that prevents you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. "Substantial work" means earning more than a certain amount per month — in 2024, that threshold is $1,550. You do not have to be completely unable to work; you must straightforward be unable to earn at that level because of your condition.

After you have received SSDI for 24 months, you become may be able to access for Medicare, the federal health insurance program. Medicare has three parts: Part A covers hospital care, Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care, and Part D covers prescription drugs. You pay a monthly premium for Part B and Part D, though the amount depends on your income.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is for disabled, blind, or elderly people with very low income and few resources. Unlike SSDI, you do not need a work history to receive it. The federal payment amount in 2024 is $943 per month for an individual, though some states add money on top of that. To receive SSI, your countable resources must be under $2,000 (or $3,000 if you are married), and your monthly income must be below the payment limit.

SSI counts income and resources differently than SSDI does. For example, SSI does not count the first $65 of your monthly earnings, plus half of anything above that. It also does not count your home, one vehicle, or certain items like assistive devices. SSDI, by contrast, has no resource limit and counts income differently once you are approved.

When you receive SSI, you are automatically enrolled in Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program. Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, and in many states, dental and vision care. Unlike Medicare, you do not pay a monthly premium for Medicaid, though some states charge small copays for certain services.

How the approval process works

When you submit a claim for SSDI or SSI, the Social Security Administration sends it to your state's Disability information Services office. That office reviews your medical records, work history, and the description of your condition. They may request additional medical evidence from your doctors. The entire process usually takes 60 to 90 days, though it can take longer if your case is complex or if medical records are slow to arrive.

The decision is based on whether your condition meets or equals a condition in the Social Security Administration's list of impairments, or whether it is severe enough that you cannot do any work in the national economy. The list includes conditions like cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and mental health disorders, but having a diagnosis on the list does not automatically mean you will be approved — your condition must be severe enough to prevent work.

About 65 to 70 percent of first claims are denied. If you are denied, you have the right to request reconsideration, which sends your case to a different examiner. If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. At a hearing, you can present new evidence and testify about how your condition affects your ability to work.

Work incentives and continuing to receive benefits

Both SSDI and SSI have rules that allow you to work part-time or test your ability to work without when ready losing your benefits. Under SSDI, you can earn up to $1,550 per month (in 2024) without affecting your payment. This is called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold. If you earn more than that, SSDI will stop, but you can restart it if your earnings drop back below the threshold within five years.

SSI has a different work incentive called the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS). A PASS lets you set aside income and resources for a specific work goal — for example, paying for job training or a business startup — without those amounts counting against your SSI limits. You work with a Social Security representative to write a plan, and as long as you follow it, your SSI continues while you work toward that goal.

Both programs also allow a trial work period of nine months during which you can earn any amount without losing benefits. After the trial work period ends, your benefits continue for an additional 36 months as long as your earnings stay below the SGA threshold. This gives you time to test whether you can sustain work before your benefits stop permanently.

Other disability programs by state

In addition to SSDI and SSI, many states run their own disability programs. Some provide cash payments for people who do not meet SSDI or SSI rules. Others provide services like job training, assistive technology, or help paying for medical care. A few examples include state-run programs for people with traumatic brain injury, developmental disabilities, or specific chronic illnesses.

Your state's vocational rehabilitation agency can also help you return to work if you are disabled. These agencies pay for training, education, assistive devices, and job coaching. You do not have to be receiving SSDI or SSI to use vocational rehabilitation — you only need a disability that creates a barrier to employment. Contact your state's vocational rehabilitation office to learn what services are available in your area.

Some states also have programs that help disabled people pay for health insurance premiums, copays, or medications. These programs are usually run by the state health department or Medicaid office. If you are on SSI or Medicaid, your state's Medicaid office can tell you what programs exist and how to reach them.

What to do if you are denied

If your claim is denied, you have 60 days to request reconsideration. You do this by contacting your local Social Security office or submitting a form online through the Social Security website. Reconsideration sends your case to a different examiner who reviews all the evidence again. About 10 to 15 percent of reconsideration requests are approved.

If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where many people succeed — judges approve about 40 to 50 percent of cases that reach hearing. At a hearing, you can bring a representative (a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate), present new medical evidence, and testify about how your condition affects your daily life and ability to work. Hearings usually take place within 75 to 120 days of your request, though wait times vary by location.

If the judge denies you, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, and if that is denied, you can file a lawsuit in federal court. These later steps are rare and usually require a lawyer. A lawyer who handles Social Security cases works on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay (usually 25 percent) only if you win — they do not charge you upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time?

No. If you are approved for SSDI, you cannot also receive SSI. However, some people receive a small SSDI payment based on a parent's or spouse's work record, and if that payment is very low, they may be able to receive SSI to bring their total income up to the SSI limit. This is called deemed income, and the rules are complex — ask your local Social Security office whether this applies to you.

How long does it take to get a decision on my claim?

The initial decision usually takes 60 to 90 days. If you are denied and request reconsideration, that takes another 60 to 90 days. If you request a hearing, the wait is typically 75 to 120 days, though some areas have longer waits. From the day you submit your claim to the day a judge makes a final decision can be one to two years.

Do I have to stop working to receive SSDI or SSI?

No. Both programs have work incentives that let you earn money while receiving benefits. Under SSDI, you can earn up to $1,550 per month without losing your payment. Under SSI, you can earn up to $65 per month plus half of anything above that. Both programs also offer trial work periods and other incentives designed to help you test your ability to work.

What happens to my benefits if I move to a different state?

SSDI follows you — your payment stays the same no matter where you live. SSI also follows you, but the payment amount may change because some states add money on top of the federal payment. When you move, contact your local Social Security office to update your address. If you move to a state with a higher SSI payment, your new payment takes effect the month after you move.

Can I work with a lawyer to help me with my claim?

Yes. A lawyer or non-lawyer representative can help you gather medical evidence, prepare for a hearing, and file appeals. They cannot help with the initial claim or reconsideration, but they can represent you at a hearing and beyond. If you win your case, the lawyer's fee comes from your back pay — you do not pay anything upfront.