Eligibility Requirements

SSI (Supplemental Security Income):

• SSI is a needs-based program, designed to provide financial support to low-income individuals who are either disabled, elderly, or blind, regardless of their work history.
• To qualify for SSI, applicants must meet income and asset limits. The SSA considers both earned income (such as wages) and unearned income (such as Social Security benefits or investment income). If you have too much income or too many assets, you may not qualify.
• SSI eligibility is not dependent on your work history. It is primarily aimed at people who do not have significant earnings or resources to support themselves.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance):

• SSDI is an insurance-based program that provides benefits to individuals who have worked and paid into Social Security through payroll taxes (FICA) over a certain number of years.
• To qualify for SSDI, you must have a work history and meet specific work credits requirements. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which must have been earned in the last 10 years before you became disabled.
• SSDI is primarily for individuals who have paid Social Security taxes over the years and now are unable to work due to a disability.

Income and Asset Limits

SSI:

• SSI is strictly based on financial need. In addition to meeting the disability criteria, applicants must have limited income and assets.
• As of 2025, the income limit for SSI is $914 per month for individuals and $1,371 per month for couples. Additionally, you can only have $2,000 in assets (or $3,000 for couples) to qualify for SSI.

SSDI:

• SSDI does not have strict asset limits, but income limits apply based on the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold.
• As of 2025, SSDI recipients cannot earn more than $1,470 per month (or $2,460 for blind individuals) in gross income without risking their benefits.
• Unlike SSI, SSDI is based on your work history and the number of credits you've earned over time rather than current income or assets.

Amount of Benefits

SSI:

• SSI benefits are generally lower than SSDI because they are designed for individuals with limited income and resources.
• As of 2025, the maximum federal SSI payment is $914 per month for an individual and $1,371 per month for a couple, but the amount can vary depending on the state. Some states add additional funds to the federal SSI amount.

SSDI:

• SSDI benefits are based on your average lifetime earnings and how much you paid into the Social Security system. Generally, SSDI benefits are higher than SSI benefits.
• The exact amount of SSDI benefits you may receive depends on your work history, but the average SSDI payment is around $1,300 to $1,400 per month.

Health Insurance

SSI:

• If you qualify for SSI, you are also eligible for Medicaid, which provides health insurance for low-income individuals. Medicaid coverage is provided by your state and varies by location, but it can offer comprehensive health coverage.

SSDI:

• If you qualify for SSDI, you are eligible for Medicare after a two-year waiting period from the date of your disability award. Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides a range of services, including hospital and medical coverage.

Work Incentives

SSI:

• SSI recipients can also work, but their benefits will be reduced based on the amount they earn. However, there are work incentives available, such as the Earned Income Exclusion, which allows you to keep some of your income without it affecting your benefits.
• The first $65 of earned income and $20 of other income (e.g., Social Security benefits or gifts) is excluded from the calculation of your SSI benefits.

SSDI:

• SSDI recipients can also work and earn income while still receiving benefits through programs like the Trial Work Period (TWP) and the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE).
• The TWP allows SSDI recipients to work for up to 9 months without losing benefits, regardless of how much they earn. After the TWP, the EPE gives recipients additional months of benefits, even if they earn above the SGA limit, as long as their earnings fall below the SGA threshold.