You can receive both SSI and SSDI, but only under specific circumstances

The Social Security Administration allows you to collect both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in the same month, but this happens only when you meet the requirements for both programs at the same time. Most people receive one or the other, not both. The situation where both payments arrive depends on your work history, your current income, and how much each program would pay you individually.

When you receive both, SSI acts as a "top-up" — it fills the gap between your SSDI payment and the SSI federal benefit rate. This means your total monthly income from Social Security stays within the SSI limit, and you do not receive a double payment. Understanding how these two programs work together helps you know what to expect if you are found to have a may have access to disability under both programs' rules.

Key Takeaways

  • You can receive both SSI and SSDI in the same month, but SSI will reduce its payment so your total does not exceed the federal benefit rate.
  • You must meet the disability requirements for both programs — having a may have access to condition under SSDI rules does not automatically mean you meet SSI's disability standard.
  • Your work history determines SSDI may be able to access, while SSI is based on your current income and resources, so the two programs look at different things about your situation.
  • If you receive both, your SSDI payment comes first, and SSI makes up the difference only if your SSDI amount is below the federal benefit rate.

How SSDI and SSI payments work together

When you receive both programs, the Social Security Administration pays your SSDI amount first. If that amount is less than the current SSI federal benefit rate, SSI then pays you the difference. For example, if your SSDI payment is $600 per month and the federal SSI rate is $943 per month (the 2024 rate for an individual with no other income), SSI would pay you $343 to bring your total to $943. You do not receive $943 plus $600 — you receive $943 total.

This combined payment is sometimes called "concurrent benefits." The word "concurrent" means happening at the same time. Your SSI payment will change if your SSDI amount changes, because SSI adjusts to keep your total within the limit. If your SSDI increases, your SSI decreases by the same amount. If your SSDI decreases, your SSI increases.

The federal benefit rate for SSI changes each year in January based on cost-of-living adjustments. Some states add their own money on top of the federal rate, so the maximum you can receive varies by where you live. Your local Social Security office can tell you the exact SSI rate in your state.

Who qualifies for both programs at once

To receive both SSI and SSDI, you must meet the disability requirements for each program separately. SSDI requires that you have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes — this is called having "insured status." SSI has no work requirement but does have strict income and resource limits. You must be under age 65, blind, or disabled under Social Security's definition, and your countable income and resources must stay below the SSI limits.

The disability standard is the same for both programs — you must have a medical condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. However, the programs evaluate your situation differently. SSDI looks at whether you worked and paid into the system. SSI looks at whether you have money or property right now. You could theoretically have a may have access to disability for SSDI but fail SSI's income test, or vice versa, though this is less common.

Young people who become disabled before age 22 and have a parent receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits may also receive SSI while their parent collects SSDI. This is a different situation from the concurrent benefits described above, but it is another way both programs can be involved in your household at once.

Income and resource limits that affect both payments

SSI has strict limits on how much money and property you can own. As of 2024, the resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and property you own — but not your home or one vehicle. If your resources exceed these limits, you lose SSI may be able to access entirely, even if you also receive SSDI.

Income limits are more complex because SSI counts some income and ignores other income. Your SSDI payment counts as income for SSI purposes, which is why SSI reduces its payment when you receive SSDI. Other income — from work, pensions, or family support — also counts and will reduce your SSI payment. The first $65 of monthly earned income and the next $50 are not counted, but income above that reduces SSI dollar-for-dollar.

If you work while receiving both programs, you must report your earnings to Social Security. Work incentive programs like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) can help you keep more of your SSI payment while you work, but you must set these up with Social Security before you start earning.

What happens if you start with one program and later may have access to for the other

Many people begin receiving SSDI based on their own work history, then later find that their income from SSDI alone falls below the SSI federal benefit rate. When this happens, they may become may be able to access for SSI as well. Social Security will not automatically add SSI to your case — you must contact your local Social Security office and ask about it. Bring your recent SSDI award letter and any information about your current income and resources.

The reverse can also happen: you may start on SSI, then reach age 65 or become may be able to access for SSDI based on work you did after your SSI began. When you turn 65, SSI converts to Supplemental Security Income for Aged Individuals, which has the same payment amount but different rules. If you become may be able to access for SSDI, Social Security will usually switch you to SSDI because SSDI payments are often higher and do not have the same resource limits as SSI.

Timing matters when you transition between programs. Contact Social Security before your situation changes so they can explain how the switch will affect your payment. Waiting until after a change can result in overpayments that you may have to repay.

How to report changes that affect both programs

When you receive both SSI and SSDI, you must report certain changes to Social Security within 10 days. These include changes to your income, resources, living situation, marital status, or work activity. Because SSI has strict income and resource limits, a change that would not affect your SSDI payment alone might eliminate your SSI payment or reduce it significantly.

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. Keep records of what you reported and when, in case there is a question later about whether you reported on time. If you miss the 10-day window, Social Security may overpay you, and you will be asked to repay the difference.

Some changes, like a small increase in your SSDI payment due to a cost-of-living adjustment, happen automatically and do not require you to report anything. Social Security will send you a notice explaining the change. Read these notices carefully, because they often explain how your SSI payment will adjust in response.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I get SSDI, will Social Security automatically add SSI to my case?

No. Social Security will not add SSI unless you ask. Contact your local office or call 1-800-772-1213 and ask whether you might be may be able to access for SSI based on your current SSDI payment and income. Bring your SSDI award letter and information about any other income or resources you have.

What if my SSDI payment increases — will my SSI go down?

Yes. SSI will decrease by the same amount your SSDI increases, so your total payment stays the same. If your SSDI increases enough to reach or exceed the SSI federal benefit rate, your SSI payment will stop entirely.

Can I lose SSI if my SSDI payment goes up?

You can lose SSI may be able to access if your SSDI payment rises above the federal benefit rate, but you will continue to receive SSDI. You could also lose SSI if your income or resources exceed the limits, even if your SSDI payment does not change. Report all changes to Social Security within 10 days to avoid overpayments.

Do I have to pay back money if I received both programs by mistake?

If Social Security paid you more than you were may have access to to receive, they will ask you to repay the overpayment. You can request a waiver of the overpayment if you were not at fault and repaying would cause you hardship, but you must request this in writing within 60 days of receiving the overpayment notice.

What counts as a resource for SSI when I also receive SSDI?

Resources are cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and property you own — but not your home or one vehicle. The limit is $2,000 for an individual. Your SSDI payment does not count as a resource once you receive it, but money you save from it does count once it sits in your account for more than a month.