Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are both benefits programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). They’re designed to fill different needs: SSI is for people with low or no incomes and are above age 65 or have a disability, while SSDI is specifically for people with disabilities who have worked at least a certain number of years.
Both of these programs are different from a disability insurance policy, which also replaces your income if you can’t work but is sold by insurance companies and is available to anyone who either gets it as a benefit through their job or buys their own personal policy.
What’s the difference between SSI and SSDI?
The main difference between SSI and SSDI is who qualifies for each. It helps to think of SSI like a low-income assistance program, and SSDI like a type of government-sponsored insurance that you buy into by working.
Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI): You must be at least 65 years old or have a disability and have little or no income and less than a certain amount of money (usually $2,000) in all of your accounts combined.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): You must have a disability that prevents you from working to earn a significant income, and you must have worked a certain amount in the past (at least 5 of the last 10 years if you’re over 24).
You can receive benefits from SSI and SSDI at the same time if you meet the qualifications for both. If you’re eligible for “concurrent benefits,” your SSI benefits will decrease based on your SSDI benefits.
You have to meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of a disability to qualify for either program. This comes down to whether or not you can perform what’s called “substantial gainful activity” (SGA), which is basically physical or mental work done for pay. Your disability also has to be expected to last for at least 12 months or be terminal in order to qualify for benefits.
If you’re approved, you can start receiving SSI benefits one month after filing your application. But SSDI has a five-month waiting period and may take even longer depending on your case.
Which pays more, SSI or SSDI?
SSI and SSDI have different benefit amounts — that just means your monthly payment. As of 2024, the maximum SSI benefit was $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for couples.
It’s more complicated with SSDI. Your benefits depend on your work and earning history, but don’t expect them to completely replace the income you earned while you were working. In 2024, the average monthly SSDI benefit was $1,537.
SSI vs. SSDI at a glance
SSI | SSDI | |
|---|---|---|
Who is eligible? | People with limited income or resources who are disabled or at least 65 years old. | People who can’t work because of a disability that's expected to last at least 12 months (or result in death). |
Are there work requirements? | No | Yes. You must have worked for a certain number of years prior to your disabling illness or injury, but the exact requirements can vary by age. |
When do benefits start? | You can receive benefits the month after you file your application. | There’s a five-month waiting period before benefits start, though you can receive back payments to cover that period retroactively. |
What benefits do I get? | The maximum amount of money you can get from SSI is $943 per month, though you may qualify for more if you have a spouse. | Benefits depend on your work history and average earnings. |
Do you get health insurance? | Yes. If you receive SSI you can qualify for Medicaid right away. | It’s possible. After you receive SSDI for two years, you may qualify for Medicare even if you’re not 65 yet. |
How does private disability insurance compare to SSI and SSDI?
The best way to prepare for an unexpected disability is by getting your own long-term disability insurance policy. This provides a lot more protection than either SSI or SSDI, and can pay out for years in the event of a serious illness or injury.
Long-term disability insurance isn’t free, it generally costs between 1% and 3% of your yearly income. It’s best for people with high salaries (meaning a lot of earning to protect) or specialized careers that could be derailed by a sudden illness or injury.
Like any kind of insurance, it’s a good idea to have long-term disability insurance in place well before you ever need it. If you have a serious illness or injury that leaves you unable to work for years or even decades, you can file a claim and receive monthly payments. They work just like your regular income, and you can use them on whatever you need.
It’s also a good idea to get disability insurance through work if your employer offers it, since short-term absences because of illness, injury, pregnancy, or childbirth aren’t eligible for either SSI or SSDI.
