What Are SSD and SSI?

Before discussing concurrent benefits, it’s important to understand the difference between SSD and SSI:

• Social Security Disability (SSD) is a program for individuals who have worked and paid into the Social Security system through payroll taxes and are now unable to work due to a disability.
  
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a need-based program for individuals with disabilities who have limited income and assets, regardless of their work history.

While both programs are intended to provide financial support for those with disabilities, the eligibility requirements for each program are different. SSD is based on your work history, while SSI is based on your income and resources.

When Can You Receive Both SSD and SSI?

You may qualify for both SSD and SSI if you meet the eligibility requirements for both programs. This typically happens in two scenarios:

You qualify for SSD, but your monthly SSD benefit is low:

• If you are approved for SSD benefits, but your monthly SSD payment is not enough to meet the SSA’s income limits for SSI, you may be eligible for SSI as well.
• For example, you might qualify for SSD but still have a low monthly benefit (due to lower lifetime earnings or other factors). In this case, you could receive SSI to supplement your SSD payments and bring your total income up to the SSI payment level.

You have limited work history but are still eligible for SSD:

• If you have a limited work history or haven’t worked enough to qualify for full SSD benefits, but your medical condition is severe enough to qualify for disability, you might receive SSI while waiting for SSD to kick in or until you qualify for SSD benefits.
• In some cases, applicants who are not yet eligible for SSD (because they have not worked long enough) may receive SSI until they become eligible for SSD based on their disability.

How Do Concurrent Benefits Work?

If you qualify for both SSD and SSI, the SSA will pay you both types of benefits, but the total amount you receive will be reduced based on the fact that you’re receiving multiple benefits. This is because SSI is a need-based program, and your SSD benefits will be factored into your SSI payment.

For example:

• If your SSD benefit is $900 per month, but the federal SSI payment is $914, the SSA will reduce your SSI benefit by the amount of your SSD payment.
• In this case, you would receive $900 in SSD benefits and an additional $14 in SSI benefits to reach the maximum SSI payment of $914.

Your SSD benefit will not change, but your SSI benefit may be adjusted accordingly to ensure you meet the minimum income level.

How Does Receiving Both SSD and SSI Affect Your Benefits?

While receiving concurrent benefits can increase the amount of financial support you receive, there are a few important things to consider:

• Income and Asset Limits for SSI: SSI has strict income and asset limits. If you are receiving both SSD and SSI, your total income could affect your SSI eligibility. Be sure to keep the SSA updated on any changes to your income or assets.
  
• Medicare vs. Medicaid: If you are receiving SSD, you will eventually qualify for Medicare after 24 months of receiving benefits. However, if you are receiving SSI, you may qualify for Medicaid immediately, depending on your state. Medicaid provides additional health coverage and is available to those with limited income and resources.
  
• Ongoing Reporting Requirements: If you are receiving both SSD and SSI, you will need to report any changes in your income, living situation, or medical condition to the SSA. Failure to report changes could affect your eligibility or result in an overpayment.