What a Plus-Up Payment Is

A plus-up payment is an extra amount of money added to your regular SSDI check when you receive certain other benefits at the same time. It is not a separate program — it is an adjustment to how Social Security calculates your monthly payment when you are drawing from more than one source.

The most common plus-up happens when you receive both SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Social Security uses a formula to prevent you from receiving the full amount of both benefits combined. Instead, they add a smaller amount to your SSDI to bring your total closer to what you would receive if you were on SSI alone. This smaller addition is the plus-up.

Plus-ups are automatic — you do not request them separately. If you meet the conditions, Social Security calculates and includes them in your regular payment without you having to do anything.

Key Takeaways

  • A plus-up is an automatic adjustment to your SSDI payment when you also receive SSI, designed to prevent a sharp drop in your total monthly income.
  • The plus-up amount varies by state because SSI payment levels differ by state, and it changes each year when SSI rates change.
  • You receive a plus-up only if you are already receiving both SSDI and SSI at the same time.
  • Your Social Security statement will show your SSDI amount and any plus-up separately so you can see how your total is calculated.

When You Receive a Plus-Up

You receive a plus-up only in a specific situation: when your SSDI payment would be lower than the SSI payment rate for your state, and you are receiving SSI benefits alongside your SSDI.

Here is how it works in practice. Suppose you live in a state where the SSI payment is $943 per month. Your SSDI payment calculates to $800 per month based on your work history. Social Security does not straightforward give you both in full — that would be $1,743. Instead, they give you your $800 SSDI, plus a plus-up of $143, bringing your total to $943. The plus-up fills the gap between your SSDI and the SSI rate.

If your SSDI payment already exceeds the SSI rate for your state, you do not receive a plus-up. You get only your SSDI amount, and you would not be receiving SSI at all.

How Plus-Up Amounts Vary by State

The plus-up amount is different in every state because SSI payment rates are set by state. The federal SSI rate is the same everywhere, but most states add their own money on top, creating a higher state rate.

For example, California's SSI rate is significantly higher than the federal rate, so a plus-up in California would be larger than a plus-up in a state that uses only the federal rate. If you move from one state to another, your plus-up amount may change even if your SSDI amount stays the same.

Social Security publishes SSI rates by state each January, and plus-up amounts adjust at the same time. You can find your state's current SSI rate on the Social Security website, though the easiest way to know your exact plus-up is to look at your Social Security statement or call Social Security directly.

How Plus-Ups Appear on Your Statement

When you receive a plus-up, your Social Security statement breaks down your payment into parts so you can see exactly what you are receiving. You will see a line for your SSDI amount, a separate line for the plus-up, and a total.

If you receive your payment by direct deposit, the total amount in your bank account each month includes the plus-up — you do not receive it as a separate deposit. The breakdown is shown on your statement for your records and to help you understand how your payment was calculated.

You can view your statement online through your Social Security account, or you can request a paper statement by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

What Changes Your Plus-Up Amount

Your plus-up changes when the SSI rate for your state changes, which happens every January. When Social Security announces the new SSI rates, your plus-up adjusts automatically — you do not need to do anything.

Your plus-up also changes if you move to a different state, because you will then be subject to that state's SSI rate. If you are planning to move, contact Social Security before you go so they can update your address and recalculate your payment under the new state's rules.

If your SSDI amount increases — for example, because of a cost-of-living adjustment — your plus-up may decrease or disappear. If your SSDI grows large enough to exceed the SSI rate, you no longer need a plus-up, and Social Security will stop including it in your payment.

Plus-Ups and Other Benefit Combinations

Plus-ups explore specifically to the SSDI and SSI combination. If you receive SSDI along with other benefits — such as workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, or pension income — different rules explore, and you would not receive a plus-up in the same way.

Some other benefit combinations trigger Government Pension Offset or Windfall Elimination Provision, which reduce your SSDI rather than add to it. These are separate from plus-ups and work in the opposite direction. If you receive SSDI and another type of benefit, your Social Security statement will show how your payment was calculated and what reductions or adjustments were made.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a higher plus-up payment?

No. The plus-up is calculated automatically based on your state's SSI rate and your SSDI amount. You cannot request a higher amount. If you believe your plus-up was calculated incorrectly, you can contact Social Security to ask them to review your payment.

What happens to my plus-up if I move to a different state?

Your plus-up recalculates based on your new state's SSI rate. If the new state has a higher SSI rate, your plus-up may increase. If it has a lower rate, your plus-up may decrease. Tell Social Security about your move before or as soon as you relocate so they can update your payment.

Will I lose my plus-up if my SSDI amount goes up?

Possibly. If your SSDI increases enough to meet or exceed your state's SSI rate, you no longer need a plus-up, and Social Security will stop including it. This can happen after a cost-of-living adjustment or if your SSDI is recalculated for another reason.

Is the plus-up the same as SSI?

No. The plus-up is an adjustment to your SSDI payment. SSI is a separate benefit with its own rules about work, income, and resources. You can receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time, and the plus-up is how Social Security prevents you from receiving the full amount of both combined.