What Can You Own On Social Security Disability?
“Social Security disability” technically refers to the SSDI (or SSD) program. However, people often interchangeably use the term to refer to SSD and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). While both programs are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), they are very different. SSD is funded by FICA contributions deducted from your paycheck. SSI, on the other hand, is a need-based program funded by the Treasury.
Since SSI is need-based and SSD is based on your work history and past contributions, eligibility requirements are very different. In particular, the income and assets allowed on Social Security disability far exceed those permitted on SSI.
What You Can Own on SSDI?
To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have earned a certain number of work credits across your career, and a smaller number within the previous 10 years. Social Security disability operates like an insurance program, so you won’t be disqualified based on your assets. There is also no limit on income from sources other than work. However, if you earn above a certain threshold through work or self-employment, you will not be considered disabled. In 2025, the cut-off is $1,620/month ($2,700/month if you are blind).
What Can You Own on Social Security Disability: Unearned Income
Unearned income is money that is earned outside of a job. Under SSDI, you can receive income from other sources and still qualify to receive benefits. Examples of unearned income include:
- Income from retirement accounts, dividends or stocks
- Rental income, unless you are in the business of operating rental properties
- Gifts from friends or family
- Proceeds from the sale of property
- Alimony or child support
What Can You Own on SSI?
SSI pays monthly benefits for low-income disabled adults and children and low-income senior citizens. Because SSI is a need-based program, the SSA will consider both your income and assets in determining eligibility. To qualify, you must:
- Have less than $2,000 in countable assets (or $3,000 for a couple)
- Have very limited income
- Be a US citizen or a qualified non-citizen
What counts towards the SSI asset limit?
Social Security calls assets “resources.” Resources include money, but also other types of property that have value. Resources include:
- Cash or any money in a checking or savings account
- Life insurance policies, stocks, bonds or retirement accounts
- Any other countable assets
However, certain types of property are considered non-countable, meaning they won’t be included when the SSA adds up the value of your assets. Some examples include your home, one motor vehicle, and many types of household goods.
SSI Income Limits
To be eligible for SSI benefits, your countable income must be below the maximum federal benefit amount. In 2025, that’s $967/month for an individual and $1,450/month for a married couple. This includes both income from work and income from other sources. If your spouse has income, some of that income may be counted. Some “in kind” help you receive from others may also be counted.
However, there are some adjustments applied to arrive at your countable income–it may be lower than your actual income. Social Security will also reduce your countable income with certain income exclusions. For example, Social Security excludes the first $20 of unearned income and the first $65 in earned income each month. Irregular income is treated somewhat differently.
The SSA also deducts certain costs from your income. For example, if you are working and need special impairment-related work expenses, you can deduct these expenses from your income. Other types of non-countable income include:
- Food stamps
- Tax refunds
- Public benefits based on need
- Loans that you have to repay
So, it’s worth checking your eligibility even if at first glance it seems like you have too much income or too many assets.
SSD v SSI Eligibility
In many cases, a disabled person will qualify for SSD but not for SSI, or vice versa. Here are a few examples of how that may play out:
Sara has worked for 25 years and paid into Social Security. When she becomes disabled, she has $100,000 in an investment account and significant equity in her home.
Since Sara has accumulated sufficient work credits to be eligible for SSD and is no longer able to work due to her disability, she will likely qualify for SSD. SSD isn’t need-based, so her assets won’t be a problem. However, she will not qualify for SSI because she has significant countable assets.
Joe has worked only sporadically in the past 10 years and his ability to work is now limited by a disability. He works part-time and earns $500/month. He owns a car, has $750 in the bank and does not own a home.
Joe may be considered disabled even though he is earning $500/month from work because he is below the substantial gainful activity threshold. However, he may not qualify for SSD because he may not have accumulated enough recent work credits to be eligible.
Because his income and assets are both below the SSI cut-off, he may qualify for SSI benefits. However, his countable income will be deducted from the maximum benefit amount to determine his benefits. The SSA would:
- Subtract $65 from his monthly earnings to determine countable income
- Subtract countable income from the maximum federal benefit to determine benefits
In this scenario, that means:
$500 in earnings minus $65 exclusion = $435 in countable income
$967 maximum federal benefit minus $435 in countable income = $532 in monthly benefits
Mary has been living off of an inheritance for more than 10 years, so has no recent work credits. Now, she is in her 50s and has become disabled. Her funds are running low–she has about $50,000 remaining. But due to her disability, she cannot return to work.
In this scenario, Mary won’t qualify for either SSD or SSI. She hasn’t accrued enough recent work credits to qualify for SSD benefits, and her $50,000 disqualifies her from SSI benefits. Since she can’t return to work, she can’t become eligible for SSD. However, when her funds run out, she may be eligible for SSI.
Disability Help Group, Call Now for a Free Case Review, 800-700-0652
As you can see, determining which benefits you may be entitled to can be complicated. There may also be steps you can take to impact your eligibility or the amount of benefits you receive. Make sure you start your claim the right way and apply for all the benefits you deserve. Contact us now for a free consultation.
