Disability benefits are monthly payments from Social Security for people who cannot work because of a medical condition

When you cannot work due to illness or injury, Social Security offers two main programs that send you money each month. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with very low income and few assets, regardless of work history. Both programs require a doctor to confirm that your condition will last at least 12 months or result in death, and that it prevents you from doing substantial work.

The amount you receive depends on which program you may have access to for, your work history (for SSDI), and your household income and resources (for SSI). Unlike unemployment benefits or workers' compensation, disability benefits continue as long as your condition meets the definition and you report changes to Social Security.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI pays based on your own work history and the taxes you paid, while SSI pays a set federal amount that varies by state and household situation.
  • Your medical condition must prevent substantial work — meaning you cannot earn more than a certain amount per month — and is expected to last at least 12 months.
  • SSDI payments typically arrive within 3 to 6 months of approval, while SSI can take longer because it requires a detailed financial review.
  • You must report changes in your income, living situation, or medical treatment to Social Security, or your payments may stop or be reduced.
  • Both programs allow you to work part-time and still receive some or all of your benefits, depending on how much you earn.

How SSDI and SSI differ in who can receive them

SSDI is for people who have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes on their earnings. Social Security tracks these payments through your Social Security number. You do not need to be poor to receive SSDI — your income and savings do not matter. What matters is your work history: you must have worked roughly 5 of the last 10 years (the exact requirement depends on your age when you become disabled).

SSI is for people with very limited income and resources. You can have no more than $2,000 in countable resources as a single person, or $3,000 as a couple (these limits have not changed since 1989). Your monthly income must be below a certain threshold, which varies by state. SSI does not require any work history — you can receive it even if you have never worked. Many people receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time.

If you are unsure which program you might may have access to for, you can contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and describe your situation. They can tell you which path to explore first.

What "unable to work" means to Social Security

Social Security does not straightforward take your word that you cannot work. A doctor must document a medical condition — physical, mental, or both — that prevents you from doing your past job and any other job that exists in the economy. The condition must be severe enough that you cannot earn more than $1,550 per month (as of 2024; this amount changes yearly).

Your medical records are the foundation of this decision. Social Security will request records from your doctors, hospitals, and therapists. They look for objective findings — test results, imaging, examination notes — rather than just your description of pain or fatigue. If your records are incomplete or outdated, Social Security may order a consultative exam with a doctor they choose, at no cost to you.

The condition must also be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. A temporary injury that will heal within a year does not may have access to, even if it prevents work right now. This is why conditions like cancer, severe arthritis, or schizophrenia are common reasons for approval, while a broken leg usually is not.

How much money you receive each month

SSDI payments are based on your lifetime earnings record. Social Security calculates your average monthly earnings from all the years you worked, then applies a formula to determine your benefit amount. The higher your earnings history, the higher your SSDI payment. In 2024, the average SSDI payment is around $1,550 per month, but payments range from roughly $700 to $3,800 depending on work history. You can view your estimated benefit on your Social Security account at ssa.gov.

SSI payments are a flat federal amount set by Congress. In 2024, the federal SSI payment is $943 per month for a single person and $1,415 for a couple. However, many states add money on top of the federal amount, so your total SSI payment may be higher depending on where you live. Some states add $50 to $100 per month; others add nothing. Your state's SSI program office can tell you the exact amount you would receive.

Both SSDI and SSI have limits on how much you can earn from work without losing benefits. For SSDI, you can earn up to $1,550 per month (in 2024) without affecting your benefits. Above that, Social Security reduces your payment by $1 for every $2 you earn. For SSI, the limit is lower — currently $65 per month plus half of any earnings above that. These work incentives exist to encourage people to try part-time work.

When payments start and how they arrive

SSDI payments typically begin the month after you are approved, though the first payment may take several weeks to process. If you are approved in March, you would usually receive your first payment in April or May. The payment arrives by direct deposit to your bank account, or by a debit card if you do not have a bank account.

SSI has a longer timeline because Social Security must verify your income and resources in detail. This can take 2 to 3 months even after your medical condition is approved. SSI payments also arrive by direct deposit or debit card, and they are dated on the first of each month.

You can check the status of your process at ssa.gov using your Social Security number and password, or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Social Security will also send you a notice in the mail when a decision is made.

What you must report to keep receiving payments

Social Security requires you to report changes that might affect your benefits. For SSDI, the main things to report are: if you start working and earn more than the monthly limit, if your medical condition improves, if you move to a different address, or if your phone number changes. You must also report if you are convicted of a crime or if you leave the United States for more than 30 days.

For SSI, you must report changes in income, living situation, and resources. If someone gives you money or you inherit property, you must report it. If you move in with someone else or they move in with you, that changes your SSI amount. If you get married or divorced, you must report that too. Failing to report changes can result in overpayments that Social Security will ask you to repay.

You can report changes online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Keep records of what you reported and when, in case there is a question later.

Work incentives that let you earn money and keep some benefits

Both SSDI and SSI include work incentives designed to help you test whether you can return to work without losing all your benefits when ready. Under SSDI's trial work period, you can work and earn any amount for 9 months without affecting your benefits. After the trial work period ends, Social Security looks at your average earnings over the next 36 months. If your earnings stay below the substantial gainful activity level (currently $1,550 per month), your benefits continue.

SSI has a different structure. You can earn up to $65 per month plus half of any earnings above that without losing benefits. This means if you earn $200 per month, you keep $65 plus half of the remaining $135, which is $67.50, for a total of $132.50 in work income while still receiving your full SSI payment.

Both programs also offer protection if you stop working due to your disability. If you try work and it does not go well, you can stop and your benefits will restart without having to reapply. This is called a "ticket to work" under SSDI and a work incentive under SSI. The goal is to remove the fear that trying to work means losing your safety net.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive disability benefits if I have never worked?

Yes, but only through SSI. SSDI requires a work history. If you became disabled before age 22 and your parent is receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, you may also may have access to for benefits on their record, even without your own work history.

What happens to my benefits if my condition improves?

Social Security will schedule a medical review to check whether you still meet the definition of disability. If your condition has improved enough that you can work, your benefits will stop. You have the right to appeal any decision you disagree with within 60 days of receiving the notice.

Can I work part-time and still get disability benefits?

Yes. SSDI allows you to earn up to $1,550 per month (in 2024) without affecting your benefits. SSI allows $65 per month plus half of any earnings above that. Both programs have work incentives to help you gradually return to work.

How long does it take to get approved for disability benefits?

Initial decisions usually take 3 to 6 months. If Social Security denies your claim, you can appeal, which adds another 1 to 2 months for reconsideration, or longer if you request a hearing before a judge. Many people are denied initially and approved on appeal.

What if I move to another country?

SSDI benefits stop if you leave the United States for more than 30 days, with some exceptions for citizens of certain countries. SSI benefits stop when ready if you leave. You should contact Social Security before traveling to understand how it affects your specific situation.