SSI vs. SSDI: What’s the Difference and Who Qualifies?

When it comes to Social Security disability benefits, two main programs often cause confusion: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Both are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and are intended to provide financial support to people unable to work due to a disability. However, these programs differ in terms of who qualifies, how benefits are calculated, and what other assistance they offer. Understanding these differences can help applicants choose the right program and prepare for the application process.

What is SSI (Supplemental Security Income)?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources. It helps seniors, blind people, and people with disabilities who have not earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI.

SSI is funded by general tax revenue, not Social Security taxes. This means that your work history does not affect your eligibility or payment amount.

What is SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on work history and Social Security contributions. It supports people who have contributed to the system through payroll taxes but are no longer able to work due to a disability that qualifies them.

SSDI is funded by FICA taxes, which most workers pay automatically from their paychecks.

What types of disabilities qualify for SSDI and SSI?

One similarity between SSDI and SSI is the definition of disability. For both programs, a qualifying medical condition is one that prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA); that is, you are unable to work and earn more than a certain income threshold.

Typically, this means a medical condition or a combination of medical conditions that prevents you from performing activities essential to gainful employment, such as sitting, standing, lifting, bending, remembering, etc. The qualifying medical condition must also have a projected duration of at least 12 months or result in death.

As mentioned above, children with disabilities may also qualify for SSI. For children, a qualifying medical condition is a physical or mental disability that results in marked and severe functional limitations that seriously impair their daily functioning. Again, the qualifying medical condition must have a projected duration of at least 12 months or result in death.

Please note that once you are over 65, you no longer need to be disabled to qualify for SSI.

What are the income and asset limits for SSI? What about SSDI?

SSI Income and Asset Limits (2025)

Because SSI is a needs-based program, both income and resources (assets) are carefully evaluated to determine eligibility.

1. Income Limits

For 2025, the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR), which establishes the maximum SSI payment, is:

• $943 per month for an individual

• $1,415 per month for a couple

However, not all incomes count toward this limit. The Social Security Administration (SSA) excludes certain types of income, such as:

• The first $20 of most monthly income

• The first $65 of employment income (and half of the remainder)

• SNAP benefits, tax refunds, and most home energy assistance

• Some grants or scholarships used for education

If your countable income exceeds the FBR, you probably won’t qualify for SSI.

2. Asset (Resource) Limits

SSI also restricts the amount of assets you can own:

• $2,000 for an individual

• $3,000 for a couple

However, some assets do not count toward this limit, including:

• Your primary residence (if you live in it)
• A vehicle, if used for transportation
• Household goods and personal items
• Landmarks and some life insurance policies

If your total countable assets exceed the limit, you will not be eligible for SSI until you reduce your resources.

SSDI Income and Asset Rules (2025)

Unlike SSI, SSDI is not need-based; it is an earned benefit program based on your work history and payroll tax contributions.

1. Income Limits

SSDI does not have strict income or asset limits. However, there is a key rule known as Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA):

• $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals

• $2,590 per month for blind individuals

If your employment income exceeds these amounts, the SSA generally considers you able to perform substantial gainful activity, meaning you do not have a disability under its definition.

???? Note: Passive income, such as interest from savings, investment earnings, or family support, does not affect SSDI eligibility.

2. Asset Limits

There are no asset limits for SSDI. You can have savings, property, or investments and still qualify, as long as you meet the disability and work credit requirements.

How are SSDI and SSI benefits calculated?

Another key difference between SSDI and SSI is the amount of monthly benefits you can receive.

SSDI benefits are calculated based on your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME), which is essentially the average monthly earnings you earned during your employment years. Adjustments can be made to exclude years when your work was limited due to your medical condition. Based on your AIME, the Social Security Administration uses a formula to calculate your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is your monthly benefit. This formula changes each year based on the national average wage index.

SSI benefits, on the other hand, begin at the maximum federal benefit rate, which is $943 per month in 2024. The Social Security Administration then subtracts your countable earnings from this amount to arrive at your full benefit. Your first $20 of earnings does not count for these purposes. If you have earned income (such as wages from an employer), the SSA subtracts $1 from your benefit for every $2 you earn. For other income, such as pensions or unemployment insurance, the SSA subtracts $1 for every $1 you receive.

Can you get SSDI and SSI at the same time?

Yes, if you qualify for both programs, you can apply for and receive SSI and SSDI benefits simultaneously. The Social Security Administration calls these “concurrent” benefits.

However, your SSDI benefits are considered countable income for SSI purposes. This means that for every dollar you receive in SSDI benefits, your SSI benefits are reduced by the same amount. Therefore, the total benefits you receive will be much less than the sum of what you could qualify for under each program individually.

Still, there are several reasons why you might want to apply for both SSDI and SSI. First, your first $20 in income, including SSDI income, does not count toward reducing your SSI, so at the very least, you can receive $20 more per month in concurrent benefits than you could receive from SSI alone.

Second, SSI benefits are retroactive to the month you applied, while SSDI only takes effect after five months of disability. SSI will cover you during that interim period.

Social Security disability benefits pay chart

2025 Social Security Disability Pay Chart Overview

Program	Average Monthly Payment (2025)	Maximum Monthly Payment (2025)	Eligibility Basis
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)	$1,537	$3,822	Based on your lifetime earnings and work credits
SSI (Supplemental Security Income)	$943 (individual) / $1,415 (couple)	Varies by state supplement	Based on financial need and limited income/resources

These figures are adjusted yearly through the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which helps keep benefits aligned with inflation. The 2025 COLA increase is 3.2%, meaning most disability recipients will see a modest rise in monthly payments compared to 2024.

Differences Between SSI and SSDI

Feature	SSI	SSDI
Type of Program	Need-based	Work-based insurance
Funding Source	General tax revenues	Social Security payroll taxes
Work History Required?	No	Yes
Income/Asset Limits	Strict	Not applicable (but limited work earnings allowed)
Health Insurance	Automatically qualifies for Medicaid	Qualifies for Medicare after 24 months
Average Benefit (2025)	$943/month (individual)	$1,537/month
Payments for Dependents	No	Yes, in some cases (spouse/children)

Conclusion

While both SSI and SSDI aim to support people who are unable to work due to a disability, they differ considerably in eligibility, funding, and benefit structure. SSI focuses on helping those with limited income or assets, while SSDI supports those who have contributed to Social Security through their work.

If you’re unsure which program best fits your situation, speak with a Social Security representative or a disability advocate. Understanding your eligibility ahead of time can save you time, reduce stress, and help you get the financial and medical support you need.