What’s the Difference Between SSI and SSDI?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are benefits paid by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to people with disabilities. Keep reading to learn more about the similarities and differences between these two programs.

Eligibility

To qualify for either or both benefits, you need to meet Social Security’s definition of disability.

SSI is a needs-based benefit for people with no income or a very low income and few assets. You cannot have more than $2,000 if you’re single and $3,000 if you’re married. You also cannot have more than $967 of countable earned income per month in 2025 if you pay for your own housing or more than $645 of countable earned income per month if you do not pay for your own housing. Countable earned income is income after work incentives have been applied.

SSDI is an insurance program for people with disabilities. You become insured through working jobs covered by Social Security and earning work credits. In 2025, you earn one work credit for every $1,810 you earn. You can earn up to four credits per year. How many credits you need to be eligible for SSDI depends on your age. Creating a my Social Security, or mySSA, account is a quick way to learn if you’re currently insured. SSDI does not have an asset limit, meaning you can have any amount of money in your bank account and still be eligible.

Amount

In 2025, SSI pays a maximum of $967 a month. This amount is called the Federal Benefit Rate and is set by Congress. It usually changes every year. If you don’t pay for your own housing, SSA will reduce your SSI check by one-third of the Federal Benefit Rate. One-third of the Federal Benefit rate is $322 in 2025, meaning you would receive a maximum of $645 if you don’t pay for your own housing. All types of income, including gifts, will also reduce your payment.

If you receive SSDI, the amount of your monthly benefit will depend on how much you earned when you were working. Your mySSA account can provide you with a personalized benefits estimate. If you have income from working while on SSDI, you may not be eligible for your SSDI check, but this depends on where you are on the road to work. Other types of income, including gifts, will not impact your SSDI payment.

Health Insurance

Both SSI and SSDI come with health insurance.

SSI comes with Medicaid. Medicaid provides medical care and prescriptions at no cost to the recipient. Medicaid also pays for home and community based services for those that need them.

SSDI comes with Medicare after a 24 month waiting period. Medicare has a premium, which is taken out of your payment. Medicare also requires the recipient to pay a deductible, copays, and coinsurance.

Which benefit am I getting?

Social Security provides a Benefit Verification Letter that will tell you which benefit you get. You can find this in your mySSA account. If you can’t find your letter, there are a few other ways you can check:

1. 1. Check the total amount you receive:

• $967 means you receive SSI
•  More than $967 means you receive SSDI
• $987 likely means you are receiving both SSI and SSDI

1. 2.   Check your health insurance:

• Medicaid means you have SSI
• Medicare means you have SSDI
• If you receive both Medicaid and Medicare you could have either SSI and SSDI or just SSDI

1. 3.   Check what day you get paid:

• SSI payments are deposited on the 1st of the month
• SSDI payments could be deposited on any other day

 

Key Takeaways

SSI:

• Eligibility is based on need
• Comes with Medicaid
• $2,000 asset limit
• Monthly benefit amount is based on Federal Benefit Rate set by Congress and income

SSDI:

• Eligibility is based on earnings
• Comes with Medicare
• Has no asset limit
• Monthly benefit amount is based on work history