Can You Receive SSI and SSDI at the Same Time?

Disability benefits are meant to help those who are unable to work due to disability. For many applicants, it is possible to receive both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits at the same time. This is known as concurrent benefits. 

However, only people who have SSDI payments below a certain threshold are also eligible for SSI benefits. 

Additionally, qualifying and applying for concurrent benefits can be complicated and difficult. Many people turn to a disability lawyer for help. At Colbert Cooper Hill, our lawyers have a wealth of experience helping people just like you. 

A Brief Overview of SSDI and SSI 

SSI and SSDI are both benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).  

Social Security Disability Insurance 

SSDI benefits provide income for people who have become disabled and are unable to work. The payment amount is related to your work history and how much you paid into Social Security taxes.  

If you meet the requirements for work credits, and are approved for SSDI benefits, your first payment will start as early as the 6th month after you first became disabled. The maximum SSDI payment is $4,873 per month in 2024, but the average recipient receives $1,537 per month.  

Supplemental Security Income 

SSI benefits are not tied to your work history. Supplemental Security Income is approved for people who have limited income and assets, and meet one of the following criteria: 

• Age 65 or older, 
• Partially or totally blind, or 
• Unable to work due to disability. 

SSI recipients often have very limited financial resources, and the monthly payment is capped at $943 for 2024. If you receive SSDI benefits above that amount, you will not qualify for SSI, unless you are still in the six-month waiting before SSDI benefits can begin. 

RELATED: How Are Supplemental Security Income Claims Decided in Oklahoma City? 

Who Qualifies for Both SSDI and SSI 

If you receive SSDI benefits above the maximum amount of SSI, you will not qualify for SSI program. There are many reasons that someone might receive low SSDI benefits. For example: 

• If you have not worked much in the last ten years. 
• If you were younger when you became disabled, and did not have time to build up a long work history. 
• If you earned low wages during your time working. 

Let’s take Ann, for example. Ann became disabled at the age of 25, and does not have enough work credits to qualify for significant Social Security disability benefits. She applies for concurrent benefits and receives $700 per month from SSDI.  

This counts as unearned income towards the SSI limit, but the Social Security Administration waives $20 per month. So they take the $943 limit, subtract her $700 in SSDI, and add back the $20 exemption. Therefore, she would receive $263 per month from SSI. 

In another example, let’s look at Jon. He applies for concurrent benefits, and he has enough work credits to obtain $1,500 in monthly SSDI benefits. However, he needs money now, and the SSDI program has a waiting period before he can start receiving benefits. He is awarded the full amount of SSI benefits, but they will end as soon as he starts receiving SSDI payments because his SSDI exceeds the SSI maximum. 

One important thing to note is that the approval process for SSDI can be long, but if you are approved you will be awarded backpay for all the months you should have been collecting SSDI (minus the five-month waiting period). With SSI, you do not receive any backpay, so you should apply as soon as you qualify. 

RELATED: How Long Does It Take to Get Social Security Disability? 

A Disability Lawyer Can Help You Get Approved 

Applying for disability benefits can be complicated and stressful. Many people who apply for SSI and SSDI benefits are not initially approved, and that can be disheartening. The Social Security benefits appeals process can be tough if you do not know what you are doing. 

This is why many people seek an experienced disability attorney to help them decide if concurrent disability benefits are the right choice. Your lawyer can help you with every step of the application process, including what is countable income towards the maximum benefit. Your lawyer will help you explain your disability to show exactly how it prevents you from working, so that the SSA can see why you need SSI and SSDI benefits. 

A lawyer can also help you through the lengthy appeals process, and coach you on the right words to say if you need to sit in an interview with the SSA. If you tried to apply on your own and got denied, you can talk to a lawyer right now about how they can help you appeal your claim. 

If you have Social Security retirement benefits, these can also prevent you from qualifying for SSI and SSDI. In fact, if you’re receiving an SSDI benefit, it should change to retirement benefits once you reach age 65. Your lawyer can explain in plain words exactly what you qualify for and why. 

Remember that your Social Security disability lawyer does not collect payment unless they help you get approved, and can only be paid a percentage of your back pay—they cannot take any of your future benefits. There are federal caps on how much a lawyer can charge as well, so you are financially protected when you choose a reputable lawyer. 

RELATED: How Much Does a Social Security Disability Lawyer Cost? 

Call Us Today for a Free Consultation 

Social Security disability benefits can make a world of difference when you’ve become disabled and have a financial need. If you’re wondering whether you qualify to receive concurrent benefits, we help you figure it out. We can also help you determine whether your Social Security retirement benefits will affect your SSI payments. 

We understand that people who are applying for both SSI and SSDI benefits are under financial strain, so please take advantage of our free, no-strings-attached consultation. We can help you understand your options and learn how our lawyers can make a difference for you and your family. You can call us at (877) 579-6800 or fill out our contact form today.