You can receive both SSDI and SSI, but how much you get from each depends on your work history and income

Social Security has two separate disability programs. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your own work record and payroll taxes. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. You can receive payments from both programs at the same time — this is called concurrent benefits — but the way the money flows and how much you receive works differently than receiving just one.

The key to understanding concurrent benefits is that SSI acts as a safety net. If your SSDI payment is below the SSI federal benefit rate (which changes each year), SSI tops you up to that amount. You do not receive the full SSI payment plus the full SSDI payment. Instead, Social Security calculates what you are owed under each program, then pays you whichever is higher, or combines them so you reach the SSI minimum.

Key Takeaways

  • You can receive SSDI based on your work record and SSI based on financial need at the same time, a situation called concurrent benefits.
  • SSI does not add on top of SSDI; instead, Social Security pays you the higher of the two amounts, or combines them to reach the SSI federal benefit rate.
  • Your SSDI payment is reduced dollar-for-dollar by any other income you receive, including wages, pensions, and some types of support.
  • SSI has strict resource limits (currently $2,000 for individuals), so owning a home, car, or savings above certain thresholds can reduce or eliminate your SSI portion.
  • Work incentives like the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) can help you earn income without losing benefits under either program.

How SSDI and SSI payments combine when you receive both

When you are approved for both programs, Social Security does not straightforward add the two payments together. Instead, it uses a process called deemed income and benefit reduction. Your SSDI payment is calculated based on your lifetime earnings record. Your SSI payment is calculated based on the federal benefit rate minus any income you have, including your SSDI payment.

Here is a concrete example: suppose the SSI federal benefit rate is $943 per month (this varies by state and year). You are approved for SSDI and receive $600 per month based on your work history. Social Security will then pay you $600 in SSDI plus $343 in SSI, bringing your total to $943. If your SSDI payment were $1,200, you would receive only the SSDI and no SSI, because you are already above the SSI threshold.

Some states add a supplement to the federal SSI rate. If you live in one of these states, your SSI portion may be higher. You will receive your SSDI payment from Social Security's main disability fund, and your SSI portion from the Supplemental Security Income fund.

Income and resource rules that affect both programs differently

SSDI and SSI treat your income and savings very differently, which matters when you have both. SSDI has no resource limit — you can own a house, a car, and have a large savings account without affecting your SSDI payment. However, SSDI does count most types of income. If you earn wages from work, your SSDI payment is reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above a threshold called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level.

SSI has strict resource limits. You can own no more than $2,000 in countable resources as an individual (or $3,000 if you are married). Your home and one vehicle are not counted, but a second car, savings, stocks, and most other assets are. If you exceed the resource limit, your SSI payment stops entirely until you are back under the limit.

Income affects SSI differently than SSDI. SSI counts earned income (wages) and unearned income (pensions, gifts, rental income) but excludes the first $65 of monthly earned income plus half of anything above that. Your SSDI payment itself is counted as unearned income for SSI purposes, which is why it reduces your SSI amount dollar-for-dollar.

When you might may have access to for both programs

You typically may have access to for concurrent benefits in one of two situations. The first is when you have a work history that qualifies you for SSDI, but your SSDI payment is low — perhaps because you worked part-time, took time out of the workforce, or had low earnings. The second is when you become disabled after working, receive SSDI, but your circumstances change and you fall below the SSI resource or income limits.

A common scenario is a person who worked for several years, became disabled, and was approved for SSDI. Their SSDI payment is $700 per month, but they have no other income and minimal savings. They would also be approved for SSI to bring their total monthly payment up to the SSI federal benefit rate. Another scenario is someone who receives SSDI and then inherits money or receives a settlement. If that money pushes them over the SSI resource limit, they lose SSI but keep SSDI.

You do not have to choose between the two programs. Social Security will automatically evaluate you for both when you explore for disability. If you are found disabled and meet the financial requirements for SSI, you will be enrolled in both.

Work incentives that protect your benefits while you earn

Both SSDI and SSI have work incentives designed to let you test your ability to work without when ready losing all your benefits. These are especially important if you receive both programs, because losing one could significantly reduce your income.

Under SSDI, you have a Trial Work Period of nine months during which you can earn any amount without affecting your benefit payment. After the Trial Work Period, your benefits are reduced based on how much you earn. The Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level is the earnings threshold — if you earn above it, your SSDI payment stops, though you may still receive SSI if you meet the income and resource rules.

For SSI, the first $65 of monthly earned income is not counted, and half of anything above that is not counted. This means you can earn up to roughly $1,000 per month before your SSI payment is reduced to zero. A Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) is a written plan you can submit to Social Security that excludes certain income and resources from the SSI calculation, letting you save money or earn more while working toward a specific goal like starting a business or getting training.

How to report changes that might affect your concurrent benefits

When you receive both SSDI and SSI, you must report certain changes to Social Security, because they affect how much you receive from each program. Changes to report include starting or stopping work, earning more or less than before, receiving a new source of income (inheritance, pension, child support), moving to a different state, or changes to your living situation.

For SSDI, you report work and earnings changes. Social Security uses these to calculate whether you are still performing Substantial Gainful Activity. For SSI, you report income changes, resource changes, and living situation changes. If you move in with someone else or they move in with you, this can affect your SSI payment through a rule called in-kind support and maintenance.

You can report changes by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local Social Security office, or using your my Social Security account online. It is important to report changes promptly, because if you receive an overpayment — money you were not may have access to to — Social Security will ask you to repay it.

State supplements and how they change your total payment

Some states add money to the federal SSI benefit rate. These state supplements vary widely. California, New York, and several other states have substantial supplements that can add $50 to $200 or more to your monthly SSI payment. Other states have no supplement at all. If you move to a different state, your SSI payment may change.

State supplements are paid by the state, not by Social Security's federal fund. Some states pay the supplement themselves; others have Social Security administer it. The supplement is included in your total SSI payment, so if you receive concurrent benefits, a higher state supplement means a higher total monthly payment. You can find your state's current SSI rate on the Social Security website or by calling your local Social Security office.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I receive both SSDI and SSI, do I get two separate checks?

You receive one combined payment each month that includes both your SSDI and SSI portions. The payment comes from Social Security and is deposited into your bank account or sent by check, depending on how you set it up. Your payment stub will show the breakdown between SSDI and SSI.

What happens to my SSI if my SSDI payment increases?

Your SSI payment decreases by the same amount your SSDI increases. If your SSDI goes up by $50, your SSI goes down by $50, so your total payment stays the same. This continues until your SSDI payment reaches the SSI federal benefit rate, at which point you receive no SSI.

Can I own a house if I receive both SSDI and SSI?

You can own a house and keep your SSDI with no limit. For SSI, your primary residence does not count toward the $2,000 resource limit, so owning a home does not affect your SSI payment. However, if you own a second property or rental property, that counts as a resource.

Do I lose my SSI if I start working?

Not when ready. SSI excludes the first $65 of monthly earned income and half of anything above that. You can earn roughly $1,000 per month before your SSI payment reaches zero. Your SSDI has a separate work incentive called the Trial Work Period that lets you earn any amount for nine months without losing benefits.

What if I inherit money while receiving both benefits?

An inheritance counts as a resource for SSI purposes. If the inheritance pushes you over the $2,000 resource limit, your SSI payment stops. You keep your SSDI payment regardless of how much money you have. Some inheritances can be excluded if they are set up in a special needs trust, so speak with a Social Security representative about your specific situation.