Can You Get SSI and SSDI at the Same Time? Understanding “Concurrent” Benefits

If you’re living with a disability and trying to figure out your Social Security options, you may be wondering: Can you get SSI and SSDI at the same time?

In many cases, yes — it’s possible to receive both, but only if you meet specific rules. This is called receiving concurrent benefits.

This guide breaks down how SSI and SSDI work, when you can get both, how your payments are calculated, and what to expect in real life.

SSI vs. SSDI: What’s the Difference?

Before looking at whether you can receive both, it helps to clearly understand what each program is.

What is SSDI?

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is a benefit for people who:

Have a qualifying disability under Social Security rules, and
Have worked and paid Social Security (FICA) taxes long enough and recently enough.

Key points about SSDI:

It’s based on your work history and earnings, not your current financial need.
Your benefit amount is tied to your lifetime earnings in covered employment.
In most cases, Medicare coverage becomes available after you’ve received SSDI for 24 months (with some exceptions).

What is SSI?

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based benefit for people who:

Are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older, and
Have limited income and limited resources.

Key points about SSI:

It’s not based on your work history; you can qualify even if you’ve never worked.
There are strict limits on countable income and resources.
If you qualify, you usually become eligible for Medicaid in many states (rules vary).

Can You Get Both SSI and SSDI at the Same Time?

Yes, you can get SSI and SSDI at the same time if you:

Meet the disability requirement for both programs, and
Qualify financially for SSI (meaning your income and resources are low enough).

When this happens, you’re considered to be receiving concurrent benefits.

When Concurrent Benefits Typically Happen

You’re more likely to receive both SSI and SSDI together if:

Your SSDI benefit is relatively low, often because:
- You worked at low wages, or
- You have a limited work history, or
- You became disabled at a young age; and
You have little or no other income, and
Your resources (savings, property, etc.) are under SSI limits.

In those situations, SSI may “top up” your monthly SSDI check so your total income reaches the SSI maximum benefit level for your living situation, as long as you’re still under the SSI income and resource limits.

How SSI and SSDI Work Together

When you receive both benefits, SSDI counts as income for SSI. This means:

SSDI is calculated first based on your work record.
Then SSI looks at your SSDI amount and any other countable income.
SSI may then pay a reduced benefit (or sometimes none) to bring you up toward the SSI maximum.

Simple Example (for Illustration Only)

Imagine:

Your SSDI benefit is $500 per month.
The SSI maximum federal benefit (for a single person, living alone, with no other income) is higher than $500.

In this case:

The $500 SSDI is counted as income by SSI (with some adjustments).
SSI might pay a smaller additional amount so your total is closer to the SSI maximum, assuming you meet all resource and eligibility rules.

The exact numbers depend on:

Federal SSI rate,
Any state SSI supplement where you live,
Your living situation, and
Any other income you or your household receive.

Quick Comparison: SSI, SSDI, and Concurrent Benefits

Feature	SSDI	SSI	Both (Concurrent)
Based on work history?	Yes	No	SSDI: yes; SSI: no
Based on financial need?	Not primarily	Yes – strict income/resource limits	SSI portion is need-based
Disability required?	Yes (unless full retirement age)	Yes (unless age 65+ or blind)	Yes, under same basic standard
Resource limits?	No specific cap for SSDI itself	Yes – countable resources are limited	Must meet SSI resource limits
Type of health coverage	Typically Medicare after waiting period	Typically Medicaid in many states	Often both Medicare and Medicaid
Common for low benefit?	SSDI alone may still be low	SSI helps those with low income/resources	SSI “tops up” a low SSDI benefit

Key Eligibility Rules for Getting Both SSI and SSDI

To receive both SSI and SSDI at the same time, you must:

Be found disabled under Social Security’s definition (for adults, usually meaning you cannot engage in substantial gainful activity due to a long-term medical condition).
Have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI, or qualify through a parent’s work record in some cases (for example, disabled adult child benefits).
Have low enough income to qualify for SSI once your SSDI and any other income are counted.
Have limited resources, as required by SSI rules (for example, limits on savings, some property, and other assets).

If you exceed SSI income or resource limits, you might still receive SSDI alone, but not SSI.

How Resources Affect Concurrent Benefits

Even if your SSDI benefit is low, you may not qualify for SSI if your resources are too high.

Common countable resources for SSI include:

Cash
Money in bank accounts
Some investments
Certain property other than your primary residence
Some vehicles (beyond what’s exempt)

However, some things are generally not counted for SSI resource purposes, such as:

Your primary residence
One vehicle used for transportation (in many cases)
Basic household goods and personal items

If your countable resources are above SSI limits, you cannot get SSI, even if you are disabled and receiving SSDI.

Can You Start With One Program and Later Get Both?

Yes, this happens fairly often.

Scenario 1: You Start With SSI, Then Add SSDI

Some people first qualify for SSI because:

They are disabled, and
They have low income and resources, but
They do not yet have enough work history or their SSDI claim is still pending.

Later, if they:

Are approved for SSDI, or
Build enough work credits and become eligible for SSDI,

then SSDI begins, and SSI is recalculated. In some cases, you then receive both, with SSI reduced to reflect the new SSDI income.

Scenario 2: You Start With SSDI, Then Add SSI

Other people start with SSDI but later:

Lose other sources of income, or
Spend down resources, or
Experience changes in living situation that reduce their countable income.

If their income and resources fall low enough, they may become eligible for SSI in addition to SSDI.

What Happens If Your SSDI Increases?

If your SSDI benefit goes up (for example, due to cost-of-living adjustments):

Your SSI payment may go down, because SSI counts SSDI as income.
In some cases, your SSDI increase can make you no longer eligible for SSI, if it pushes your countable income above SSI limits.

You might move from:

Receiving both SSI and SSDI,
to
Receiving SSDI only.

Working While Receiving SSI and SSDI

Working while on disability benefits is complex and depends on:

How much you earn,
The type of work, and
Whether you’re in a trial work period or other work incentive program.

In general:

SSDI has rules about substantial gainful activity and trial work periods.
SSI reduces your payment as your countable earnings go up, but it also has work incentives that may let you keep some benefits while working.

If you receive both SSI and SSDI:

Earned income from work affects your SSI payment first,
and could eventually affect your SSDI eligibility if earnings consistently exceed certain thresholds.

Because of the complexity and the risk of overpayments, many people choose to discuss their situation with a knowledgeable representative or counselor before changing work activity.

Health Coverage When You Get Both SSI and SSDI

One of the most significant side effects of receiving disability benefits is access to health coverage.

If you receive SSDI:

You typically qualify for Medicare after a 24‑month waiting period from the start of your cash benefits (with certain exceptions for specific conditions).

If you receive SSI:

You often qualify for Medicaid, although rules can vary by state.

If you receive both:

You may end up with both Medicare and Medicaid, which can work together:
- Medicare acts as primary coverage;
- Medicaid may help with premiums, co-pays, or services not covered by Medicare, depending on your state’s rules.

Applying for SSI and SSDI: Should You Apply for Both?

If you think you might be eligible, many people find it helpful to:

Apply for both SSDI and SSI at the same time when they apply for disability, especially if:
- They have low income and resources, and
- They are not sure if they have enough work credits for SSDI alone.

The Social Security Administration generally reviews your application and:

Checks your work history to see if you qualify for SSDI, and
Reviews your finances to see if you also qualify for SSI.

You don’t have to decide in advance which program is right; your eligibility can be evaluated under both sets of rules.

Common Misunderstandings About Getting SSI and SSDI Together

Here are a few things people often get confused about:

“If I get SSDI, I can’t get SSI.”
Not always true. You can receive both if your income and resources are low enough.
“My SSDI amount doesn’t matter for SSI.”
It does matter. SSDI counts as income and affects how much SSI you can receive.
“If my SSDI is small, I’ll automatically get SSI too.”
Not necessarily. You still must meet SSI income and resource rules.
“I’m on SSI now; I can’t switch to SSDI.”
You may later qualify for SSDI if you build up enough work credits or become entitled through a parent’s record, and your SSI can be adjusted.

Key Takeaways: Can You Get SSI and SSDI at the Same Time?

Yes, you can receive SSI and SSDI at the same time; this is called concurrent benefits.
To get both, you must:
- Be disabled under Social Security’s rules,
- Qualify for SSDI based on work history (either your own or, in some cases, a parent’s), and
- Have low enough income and resources to also qualify for SSI.
Your SSDI payment counts as income when figuring out whether you qualify for SSI and how much you can receive.
If your SSDI benefit or other income rises, your SSI may decrease or stop, though SSDI can continue.
Many people move between:
- SSI only,
- SSDI only, and
- Concurrent SSI and SSDI,
  as their income, resources, and life circumstances change.

Understanding how these programs interact can help you plan your finances, anticipate changes in your benefits, and make more informed decisions about work, savings, and medical coverage.