Many people who cannot continue working because of a disability rely on benefits through the Social Security Administration to make ends meet. The programs, Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income, each have their own requirements for approval.
People typically receive disability benefits through only one program, but more than 1.18 million individuals receive SSI and SSDI combined benefits. “Concurrent benefits” is the name given dual eligibility SSI SSDI, but regardless of what you call it, you’ll need to understand how SSI and SSDI work.
Social Security Disability Insurance
The SSDI program provides monthly benefits to individuals with a medical condition that meets the federal definition of disability. According to the definition, you are disabled when you are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or expected to last for at least 12 months.
If you have a disability that meets the definition, you also must meet a work history requirement. You must have worked long enough at jobs subject to the payment of Social Security payroll taxes. Self-employed individuals can meet the work requirement provided they paid Social Security taxes on their income.
Social Security uses work credits to measure the length of an individual’s work history. Workers earn work credits based on their covered earnings, which are earnings subject to Social Security payroll taxes. You receive a work credit in 2026 for every $1,890 in covered earnings up to a maximum of four credits per year. The earnings required for each work credit change each year.
The monthly SSDI benefits you receive depend on the covered earnings you had before becoming unable to work because of a disability. According to the Social Security Administration, the average monthly SSDI benefit payment in 2026 is $1,630.
Supplemental Security Income program
Unlike the SSDI program, SSI does not require applicants to have a work history. It is a needs-based program intended for individuals with little or no income and resources or assets valued at $2,000 or less for individuals and $3,000 or less for couples.
SSI provides benefits to the following people:
- Adults who are blind or disabled.
- Children who are blind or disabled.
- Adults who are 65 and older who are not blind or disabled.
Applicants must meet the income and resource limitations to be approved for benefits under the program. Disabled adults must meet the federal definition of disability used for the SSDI program. A separate definition applies to children with disabilities.
Social Security administers SSI, but it is not part of the Social Security retirement and disability system. SSI benefit payments are intended to help people afford food, shelter, and other essentials.
Individuals may receive a maximum federal SSI monthly benefit payment in 2026 of $994, and couples may receive up to $1,491. Most states provide their residents with a supplemental payment in addition to their federal benefits.
The amount of income that a person receives each month from other sources, such as money earned from working at a part-time job, may reduce their SSI benefits. However, not all income counts. For example, you may exclude from monthly earnings the first $65 and one-half of the balance.
Concurrent Benefits
A person may have a work history that entitles them to benefits through the SSDI program, but a low earnings record may limit the amount they receive in benefits each month. Depending on how much income they have in total disability benefit from SSDI, they may be entitled to concurrent benefits through SSDI and SSI.
When you apply for disability benefits to the Social Security Administration, it will be reviewed to determine whether you can be approved for benefits under SSDI, SSI, or both. The SSI income limits control how much does SSI and SSDI pay together.
SSI program rules count SSDI benefits as unearned income to reduce the combined SSI SSDI payment amount that you receive each month. For example, if your monthly SSDI benefits are $300, the first $20 can be excluded. The remaining $280 reduces your SSI benefits.
If Social Security approves you for $700 in SSI benefits each month, $280 must be deducted. Your concurrent benefits each month will be $300 from SSDI and $420 from SSI. The total disability income paid as concurrent benefits will be $720 monthly.
Legal Representation For SSDI And SSI Claims
Let a disability lawyer at Sackett and Associates make the Social Security disability claims process easier with skilled representation and advice you can trust and rely upon. Whether you need assistance with an initial claim or to appeal a denial of benefits or other unfavorable outcome, let us show you why people throughout Northern California and nationwide rely on Sackett Law. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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