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Social Security disability

SSDI or SSI: what is the difference?

Two programs pay people with disabilities. One is for workers. One is for people with low income.

Side by side

SSDISSI
Who it is forWorkers with enough recent work credits, and some family membersPeople with low income and few resources who are disabled, blind, or 65+ (adults and children)
Money testNo income or savings limit. Work over $1,690 a month (2026) usually means you are not disabled.Resources $2,000 or less ($3,000 couple); income rules apply
AmountBased on your lifetime average earningsUp to $994 a month in 2026 ($1,029 in 2027), minus countable income; some states add more
Waiting period5 full months; no wait for ALS or if you had SSDI in the last 5 yearsNo waiting period; starts the month after you apply
Health insuranceMedicare after 24 months of SSDI (sooner for ALS and kidney failure)Medicaid in most states (rules differ by state)
Back payUp to 12 months before the month you apply (after the waiting period)Back to the month after you applied; large amounts paid in up to 3 installments

SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough and recently enough. Some family members can also get benefits on your record.

  • You earn work credits by working. In 2026 you get one credit for each $1,890 you earn, up to 4 credits a year. In 2027 it is $1,970 per credit.
  • If you become disabled at age 31 or older, you usually need 20 credits earned in the 10 years (40 quarters) ending when you became disabled. You must also be 'fully insured.'
  • If you become disabled before age 31, you need fewer credits: credits in half the quarters after you turned 21, and at least 6 credits in the last 12 quarters if that period is short.
  • If you are legally blind, you only need to be fully insured. The recent-work test does not apply.
  • SSDI is paid while you are disabled and under full retirement age. At full retirement age it changes to retirement benefits.
  • SSDI and adult SSI use the same medical definition of disability.
  • An adult child can get benefits on a parent's record if the disability began before age 22 and the parent gets retirement or disability benefits or has died. The child must be unmarried.
  • A disabled widow or widower can get benefits from age 50. The disability must start within 7 years after the worker's death (or after earlier survivor benefits ended).

SSI: Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with little income and few resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. You do not need work credits. Children can get SSI too.

  • The most SSI pays from the federal government in 2026 is $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple. From January 2027 it is $1,029 and $1,544. Some states add money.
  • Your countable resources must be $2,000 or less ($3,000 for a couple).
  • Your home does not count, no matter what it is worth, if you live in it.
  • One car does not count, no matter its value, if it is used to get you or someone in your home around.
  • SSA does not count the first $20 of most income each month.
  • If you work, SSA also does not count the first $65 of wages and then half of the rest.
  • Students under 22 who are blind or disabled can keep more of their pay: up to $2,410 a month and $9,730 a year in 2026 ($2,500 and $10,080 in 2027).
  • If you live with a spouse who does not get SSI, some of the spouse's resources count as yours.
  • A child under 18 is disabled if a condition causes 'marked and severe' limits and is expected to last at least 12 months or lead to death.
  • SSI can start no earlier than the month after you apply.

Getting both

You can get SSDI and SSI at the same time (a 'concurrent' claim) if your SSDI is low and you meet the SSI income and resource rules. Your SSDI counts as income for SSI, after the $20 not counted.

Guides

Sources

Last checked: November 2026