SSI vs SSDI: Disability benefits and Medicare

SSI and SSDI are Social Security benefits for people with disabilities based on different eligibility requirements. SSDI recipients also qualify for Medicare, while SSI recipients may qualify for Medicaid.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program designed for people living with disabilities who have limited income and resources, regardless of their employment history.

On the other hand, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides support for people living with disabilities who have worked in the United States and paid taxes to Social Security but who are now unable to work due to their disability.

This article explains in more detail the differences between SSDI and SSI in terms of benefits, eligibility, and Medicare eligibility.

To qualify for SSI, a person must be age 65 years or older, living with blindness or another disability, and have limited income and resources.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines “blindness” as having very restricted vision in the eye that sees more clearly than the other, even with corrective lenses or a restricted visual field.

The SSA defines “disability” as a physical or mental condition causing significant challenges for at least 12 months or more, to the point that a person has difficulty working.

The SSA considers income to include sources such as earnings from work, benefits from various sources, and free food or housing. Resources are assets such as cash, bank accounts, investments, real estate, vehicles, personal items, life insurance, and anything that can be sold for cash.

For SSI eligibility, the SSA only counts assets up to a value of $2,000 per person or $3,000 per couple. A person’s income from work, meanwhile, must not exceed $2,019.99 monthly.

In addition, to qualify, a person must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident living in the United States or its territories without being absent for long periods or living in a government-funded institution.

Meanwhile, SSDI recipients are eligible based on the same definition of disability. However, income is not part of the eligibility criteria. Instead, the person must have worked and paid taxes for at least 5 of the last 10 years.

In 2025, SSI benefits are $967 a month for an individual or $1,450 for a couple. Meanwhile, SSDI pay varies, with the average being around $1,500.

Generally, people become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65.

However, if a person has been receiving SSDI benefits, they will be eligible for Medicare after a waiting period of 24 months, regardless of their age.

On the other hand, receiving SSI may make a person eligible for Medicaid. This is because, like SSI eligibility, Medicaid eligibility is based on income.

A person cannot choose whether to enroll in SSI versus SSDI, as the SSA determines eligibility for both programs based on the aforementioned criteria.

That said, SSDI generally pays a higher benefit than SSI. However, getting SSDI also requires a work and tax history that qualifying for SSI does not require.

Because a person living with a qualifying disability could be living with limited income and assets and have also worked and paid taxes for the required time, it is possible for a person to qualify for both SSI and SSDI.

However, a person eligible for both benefits will not receive a combined monthly benefit greater than what they would get from SSI alone.

If a person’s SSDI benefit is lower than their current SSI monthly payment, their total monthly payment will be adjusted to either $967 or $1,450, depending on whether they receive benefits individually or as a couple.

On the other hand, if a person’s SSDI benefit is higher than their SSI benefit, an amount will be subtracted from this benefit to meet the SSI maximum.

A person can apply for SSI or SSDI on the SSA.gov website. A person will need to provide relevant information, such as their income, work history, and history of their condition.

Alternatively, a person can apply by visiting their local SSA office or by calling 800-772-1213 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

A person can contact the SSA with questions about either SSI or SSDI. In addition, there are organizations that a person can contact for support with the enrollment and application process or with questions about the differences between the two benefit programs. These include:

In addition, before applying, a person can print a Disability Starter Kit from the SSA.

Inside every kit, recipients will find a comprehensive FAQ sheet on the benefits application process, a detailed checklist outlining all required documentation and information, and a practical worksheet designed to assist in collecting and organizing everything necessary for the application.

A person already receiving disability benefits can check if they are receiving SSI or SSDI by looking at their benefit letter or SSA monthly benefit statements. They can also find this out by logging into their SSA account or calling the SSA.

SSI and SSDI are both federal disability programs with different eligibility requirements.

SSI is need-based for those with limited income, regardless of work history, while SSDI requires having paid into Social Security through previous employment.

SSDI typically offers higher payments and eligibility for Medicare, whereas SSI payments are lower but may make a person eligible for Medicaid.

The SSA determines which program a person qualifies for. Some individuals may qualify for both programs simultaneously, though their combined benefits will not exceed the maximum SSI payment.