Can You Get Both SSI And SSDI Benefits?

If you’re unable to find substantial employment after suffering a disability, you’re most likely looking at various options for governmental assistance. In this case, both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Social Security Income (SSI) are avenues worth exploring.

But can you get both SSI and SSDI benefits at the same time and thus improve your financial situation?

Let’s find out!

Is it Possible to Receive Both Benefits?

Can you get both SSI and SSDI benefits? 

In some cases, yes. You may qualify for both programs if you meet the criteria. This is in fact encouraged by the Social Security Administration, who refer to these benefits as concurrent. 

Although you may be eligible for both programs, keep in mind that concurrent benefits often result in a decrease in SSDI benefits. 

Criteria for SSDI and SSI benefits:

The Social Security Administration administers both benefit programs to individuals suffering from disabling conditions who are unable to find work. 

SSDI is reserved for disabled individuals who pay into the system through payroll taxes at their work. In other words, you must possess a minimum amount of work credits on your records to qualify for the program. 

On the other hand, SSI benefits aren’t based on your work history, rather, they’re tied to your financial situation. It’s primarily intended to help individuals who have insufficient work credits but also struggle with limited income. To qualify for SSI, both your assets and your income must be under a SSA-designated threshold. 

Eligibility for concurrent benefits is relatively straightforward. You must be able to qualify for SSDI, but the payments you receive have to be low. Low payments are typical for individuals without extensive work history, meaning they worked enough to barely qualify for the SSDI program. 

Similarly, this also applies to those who earned low wages while they were employed and those who became disabled at a young age and didn’t get an opportunity to build their career. 

Do you Qualify for Concurrent Benefits?

What is the threshold you need to qualify when considering can you get both SSI and SSDI benefits?

The Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) to receive SSDI benefits is $3,627 in 2023. This limit changes each year to adjust for inflation and costs of living. 

When you consider the average SSDI payment amount is $1,350, you are very likely to be eligible for SSI benefits as well. The financial criteria here are complicated, but in simple terms, SSI benefits are available to those who don’t have enough income or have low unearned income (such as SSDI benefits or inheritance checks). 

In 2023, to receive SSI benefits your income mustn’t exceed $1,913 per month, and the value of your assets and other resources must fall under $2k. To put it differently, if your total monthly income (which may include SSDI benefits) amounts to less than $1,913 and you also don’t exceed the asset gap, you may qualify for concurrent benefits. 

How Many SSI Benefits Can You Receive?

At the moment of writing the maximum SSI monthly payment you can receive is capped at $914. Any SSDI benefits you receive will offset this amount and generally speaking, your concurrent benefits shouldn’t exceed the $914 cap.

Here’s an example that may help you figure this out:

Let’s say you receive a letter that notifies you your disability claim is approved and you also begin receiving the maximum amount of SSI benefits a month later. After a few months, you also became eligible to receive $500 per month in SSDI benefits. In this scenario, your SSI benefits will decrease by the amount of SSDI benefits you’re receiving.

What Are The Benefits of Receiving Concurrent Disability Payments?

The primary benefit of pursuing concurrent benefits is the fact you can significantly boost your monthly income. Let’s use the example we mentioned earlier. If you rely strictly on SSDI benefits, you would only have $500 per month, but after claiming your SSI benefits, you have $914 per month, which is a massive improvement.

Plus, receiving concurrent benefits also allows you more insurance options. While SSDI recipients may only receive Medicare, SSI recipients qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid pays more for health services, while Medicare has better acceptance rates among providers. Thus, you can choose your health insurance program depending on your needs if you’re receiving concurrent benefits. 

How to File a Claim for Concurrent Benefits

The best way to go around it is to apply for both programs with Social Security. The administration will inform you if you’re eligible for these programs depending on your financial standing and work history. 

After your impairments are verified and you’re officially deemed disabled, the claims examiner will evaluate your income, assets, and work history to determine if you qualify for concurrent benefits. 

Lastly, you’ll receive a written notice via mail as to whether your claim is accepted or denied. The letter will also contain the benefit amounts you can expect to receive.

You May Need Some Assistance

Receiving disability benefits is probably your primary concern considering you’re unable to find employment. Although your disability may be valid, in some cases, the Social Security Administration can reject your claim, which is why it might be wise to consult a legal professional before filing your application.

An attorney can review your case and work history and determine whether you are eligible to receive SSI or SSDI benefits. They can also calculate the amount you can expect to receive as well as assist you with paperwork.

Most importantly, an attorney can help support you in the appeals process if your claim gets denied, and assist you in assembling stronger evidence of your disability. If you’re concerned about legal fees, most attorneys are open to working on a contingency basis (they don’t receive a fee unless they deliver the expected results. So in a way, hiring a legal professional to guide you through this process is pretty much a no-brainer.

Note: 

The information in this blog post is for reference only and not legal advice. As such, you should not make legal decisions based on the information in this blog post. Moreover, there is no lawyer-client relationship resulting from this blog post, nor should any such relationship be implied. If you need legal counsel, please consult a lawyer licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.