Understanding the Difference Between SSI and SSD
By Jennifer Walker, Senior Disability Advocate
One of the most common questions we hear is: “What’s the difference between SSI and SSD?”
While both programs fall under the umbrella of Social Security disability benefits, they serve very different purposes and have different eligibility requirements. Understanding the key distinctions can help you or a loved one determine the right path to financial support.
What Is SSI?
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program. That means your eligibility depends largely on your household income and assets, not just your own, but that of anyone living in your home.
To qualify for SSI:
- You must be disabled.
- You cannot own more than one house and one car.
- You can’t have more than $2,000 in a bank account.
- You cannot have assets that can be easily converted to cash (like insurance policies or tools).
Importantly, SSI benefits cannot be paid for any time before your application date. And if you’re eligible for any other type of payment, early retirement, insurance payouts, etc., you must apply for those as well.
What Is SSD (SSDI)?
SSD (also referred to as SSDI or Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history. If you paid into Social Security through your job, you earned credits (up to 4 per year).
To be eligible:
- You must have earned enough work credits.
- You must prove you became disabled before your credits expired (this is called your Date Last Insured).
- You must have worked at least 5 of the last 10 years before your disability began.
SSD benefits can be paid retroactively for up to one year before your application date, but you won’t receive payments for the first five months of your disability. Your SSD amount is based on how much you paid into Social Security over your working years.
Additional Key Points
- If you’re approved for even $1 of SSI, you’re automatically eligible for Medicaid.
- SSD recipients become eligible for Medicare after 29 months (a 5-month waiting period plus 2 years).
- The maximum SSI benefit in 2025 is $967 per month.
- If you qualify for both SSD and SSI, you’ll receive the higher of the two benefits, not both combined.
- SSI is impacted by all sources of income, including inheritances, lottery winnings, and even the sale of personal items.
- If you try to “spend down” assets below market value to qualify for SSI, it may result in a penalty delay.
- When applying for both programs, SSI is processed first, and Social Security will contact you directly to review your income and resources.
Need Help Navigating the Disability Process?
Understanding your eligibility and maximizing your benefits can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in. The advocates at Disability Help Group are here to guide you through every step of the process and help ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.
Call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 800-3332 or click here to fill out our contact form. We’re here to help!
This article was written and fact-checked by Jennifer Walker, a Senior Disability Advocate with extensive experience in Social Security disability. All information reflects current SSA guidelines and real-world case knowledge to help you better understand your rights and options.
