Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are two distinct programs that provide financial support to individuals with disabilities. While each program serves a different purpose and population, some individuals qualify for both benefits simultaneously. This is known as concurrent benefits. Understanding how SSI and SSDI concurrent benefits work and how they change over time is important for those navigating the disability system.
Can I Collect SSDI and SSI at the Same Time?
To qualify for concurrent benefits in 2025, your unearned income must be less than $967 per month if you are an individual or $1,450 per month if you are part of a married couple. Most people do not qualify for both programs because their monthly SSDI payments exceed these limits.
The average monthly SSDI payment is $1,580 for an individual and $2,826 for someone with dependents. Why would someone receive monthly SSDI payments that are low enough to also qualify for SSI, a program reserved for individuals with little to no income or assets?
Limited Work In Recent Years
SSDI benefits are based on your work history, specifically the number of work credits you’ve accumulated by paying into Social Security through employment. If you’ve worked very little during the last 10 years, you may not have earned many credits, which reduces the payment amount you’re eligible for.
In 2025, you can earn one credit for every $1,730 in wages or self-employment income, up to a maximum of four credits per year. To qualify for SSDI, most individuals need at least 20 work credits in the last 10 years, though this exact requirement depends on age.
Little to No Work History
Generally, SSDI is not available to people who haven’t met work credit requirements. However, there are some exceptions; the Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefit is one of the most notable allowances. If you are over age 18 and become disabled before age 22, you may be able to earn SSDI benefits on your parents’ Social Security record.
Children under age 18 may also be eligible for SSI benefits if they have a physical or mental condition, or a combination of conditions, that severely limits functionality. Individuals with these conditions must expect them to last at least 12 months or result in death to be eligible. Additionally, the child’s income, resources, and assets, and those of family members living in the house, must fall within SSI’s eligibility limits.
Earned Low Wages
You might also qualify for a low SSDI amount if you worked consistently but earned low wages throughout your career. SSDI is calculated based on your average lifetime earnings, so those with lower earning records may still end up with modest monthly payments even if they’ve worked for many years. When those SSDI payments fall under the SSI federal benefit rate after standard exclusions, SSI can be used to boost your total income to meet minimum living standards.
How Much Do SSI and SSDI Pay Together?
When you qualify for both SSDI and SSI, your total benefit is designed to bring your monthly income up to, but not exceed, the monthly maximum SSI payment. Because SSI is a needs-based program, SSA treats your SSDI payment as “unearned income” and applies a $20 per month general exclusion. After that exclusion, your remaining SSDI amount is subtracted from the maximum SSI payment award to determine how much you’ll actually receive from SSI.
For example, let’s say that you are approved for $600 per month for SSDI. SSA first excludes $20, leaving $580 as countable unearned income. SSA will subtract your SSDI check from the SSI individual maximum of $967. Therefore, your SSI payment would be $387. New York State residents likely also qualify for a state-administered SSI supplement of up to $87 for an individual, bringing the total monthly amount to $1,074.
$967 + $20 + $87 = $1,074
SSI Maxiumum (for individuals) + $20 Exclusion + NYS Supplement = Total Monthly Amount
There are additional perks to receiving concurrent benefits, including Medicaid. Although Medicaid provides payments for more services, not all doctors accept it. If you are also eligible for SSDI benefits on top of SSI benefits, you will be eligible for Medicare. If you are eligible for Medicare through the SSDI program, you will have to wait two years from the date your SSDI eligibility begins to utilize the health insurance. Most doctors accept Medicare, so you will have an easier time finding a provider.
How Do Concurrent Benefit Amounts Change Over Time?
When you first apply to SSDI, there is a five-month waiting period after the SSA establishes your disability onset date. You won’t receive any SSDI payments during your waiting period. If you meet SSI’s income and asset rules, you’ll receive SSI alone during this window at the maximum rate. As soon as your SSDI checks start coming in, the SSA will recalculate your SSI.
If you decide to attempt to return to work, a trial work period (TWP) allows you to test your ability to maintain employment without immediately losing SSDI benefits. In 2025, any monthly earnings that exceed $1,160 before taxes will count as a TWP month. You are permitted to have nine of these months within a five-year rolling period. During this time, your SSDI payments continue in full regardless of how much you earn. However, SSI payments respond immediately to your income. Any earned income after standard exclusions reduces your SSI benefit. This reduction is often about 50 cents for every dollar earned above $65. If your earnings are high enough, your SSI payment may be reduced to zero. After your TWP ends, if your earnings continue to exceed the substantial gainful activity (SGA) threshold, your SSDI may stop.
Work With a Trusted SSDI/SSI Attorney
If you’re unsure which benefits you qualify for—or how your work history, income, or medical condition affects your eligibility, reach out to Jeffrey Freedman Attorneys. We will evaluate your unique circumstances, explain your options, and help you apply for the benefits that best fit your situation.