The main programs that provide money to disabled people

The federal government runs two main programs that send monthly payments to people with disabilities: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both are run by the Social Security Administration, but they work differently and have different rules about who can receive them.

SSDI is based on your own work history—you get it because you or a family member paid into Social Security through payroll taxes. SSI is based on financial need, not work history. You can receive one, the other, or both, depending on your situation. There are also programs run by individual states and programs that help with specific costs like healthcare or housing.

Understanding which program might be available to you starts with knowing the difference between these two paths and what each one requires.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI pays you based on your own work record or a family member's work record; SSI pays you based on financial need and limited resources.
  • You must have a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and it must prevent you from working, to receive either program.
  • SSDI has no resource limit and no income limit, but SSI limits your resources to $2,000 (or $3,000 if you are married) and counts most income against your payment.
  • State programs, Medicaid, Medicare, and housing information are separate from SSDI and SSI but often available to people receiving them.
  • The process of proving disability takes time; most people are initially denied and must request reconsideration or a hearing before receiving payments.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Based on work history

SSDI pays monthly benefits to you if you have worked and paid Social Security taxes, and you now have a disability that prevents you from working. You can also receive SSDI based on a parent's or spouse's work record if you became disabled before age 22, or if you are a widow or widower of someone who paid into Social Security.

The amount you receive depends on how much you or the family member earned during their working years. There is no limit to how much money you can have in the bank or how much other income you earn—SSDI does not count resources or outside income against your payment. However, if you work and earn above a certain amount (called the "substantial gainful activity" level), Social Security may determine you are no longer disabled and stop your benefits.

To receive SSDI, your medical condition must be severe enough that it prevents you from doing any substantial work, and it must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Social Security has a list of conditions that automatically meet this standard, but you can also show that your condition prevents work even if it is not on the list.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Based on financial need

SSI is a needs-based program. You receive it if you have a disability, are blind, or are age 65 or older, and you have limited income and resources. Unlike SSDI, SSI does not require a work history. It is funded by general tax revenue, not by Social Security payroll taxes.

To receive SSI, your resources must be below $2,000 if you are single, or $3,000 if you are married. Resources include money in the bank, vehicles, and property—but your home and one vehicle are not counted. Most income counts against your SSI payment, meaning the more you earn or receive from other sources, the less SSI you get. However, Social Security excludes the first $65 of monthly earnings and half of earnings above that, so you can work a little without losing all your SSI.

The medical standard for disability is the same as SSDI: your condition must prevent you from doing any substantial work and must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. If you receive both SSDI and SSI, the SSDI payment counts as income against your SSI, and Social Security pays you whichever is higher.

Healthcare coverage that comes with disability benefits

If you receive SSDI, you become covered by Medicare after you have been receiving benefits for 24 months. Medicare is federal health insurance that covers hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription drugs (though you pay premiums and copays). You can also buy into Medicare earlier if you want to.

If you receive SSI, you are usually covered by Medicaid, your state's health program for people with low income. Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs with little or no cost to you. The exact coverage varies by state. In some states, Medicaid ends if your income rises above a certain level; in others, you can keep Medicaid even if your SSI stops.

Some people receive both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time. This is called "dual may be able to access" status. When you have both, Medicare is your primary insurance and Medicaid fills in gaps, usually covering copays and premiums you would otherwise pay.

Other programs that work alongside SSDI and SSI

Beyond the two main programs, there are other sources of support. State disability programs vary widely—some states run their own short-term disability programs or programs for people who do not meet the federal standard. Your state's vocational rehabilitation agency can help you with job training and work-related expenses if you want to return to work.

Housing information is available through public housing authorities and through voucher programs (Section 8). These programs help pay your rent if your income is low. Wait lists are often long, but you can explore even while receiving SSDI or SSI.

ABLE accounts let you save money without losing SSI benefits. Normally, having more than $2,000 in resources disqualifies you from SSI, but an ABLE account lets you set aside up to $100,000 without affecting your benefits. You must have become disabled before age 26 to open an ABLE account.

Work incentives are rules that let you test your ability to work without when ready losing benefits. If you receive SSDI, you can work and earn money, and Social Security will not stop your benefits as long as you are not earning above the substantial gainful activity level. If you receive SSI, you can earn up to $65 per month without it counting against your payment. These programs exist because many people with disabilities can work part-time or with support.

How the process works: from process to first payment

You can explore for SSDI or SSI online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. You will need to provide medical records, work history, and proof of identity. The process itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes online, but gathering the documents takes longer.

After you explore, Social Security sends your case to your state's Disability information Services office. This office reviews your medical records and decides whether your condition meets the disability standard. This review usually takes 3 to 6 months, though it can take longer if Social Security needs more medical information from you or your doctors.

Most people are denied on their first process. If you are denied, you can request reconsideration (a second review by a different examiner), and if you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Many people are approved at the hearing stage. The entire process from process to approval often takes 1 to 3 years, though some cases move faster.

While you wait, you can work and earn money. If you are later approved, Social Security will pay you back to the date you applied, minus any work earnings above the limit. This is called a "back payment."

What happens if you work while receiving disability benefits

If you receive SSDI, you can work without losing your benefits as long as your earnings stay below the substantial gainful activity level. In 2024, this level is $1,550 per month (or $2,590 if you are blind), but this amount changes each year. Even if you earn above this level, you have a trial work period where you can test your ability to work for 9 months without Social Security counting your earnings against your benefits.

If you receive SSI, the first $65 of your monthly earnings do not count against your payment. After that, half of what you earn counts as income. So if you earn $200 per month, only $67.50 counts against your SSI ($200 minus $65, divided by 2). This means you can work part-time and still receive some SSI payment.

If you want to return to work but are worried about losing benefits, Social Security has a work incentives planning service that is free. You can contact your local work incentives planning and information project (WIPA) or protection and advocacy for beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) to talk through your options before you start working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time?

Yes. If you have a work record and receive SSDI, but your SSDI payment is very low, Social Security will also pay you SSI to bring your total income up to the SSI payment level. This is called "concurrent benefits." You must meet the resource limits for SSI ($2,000 for a single person) for this to work.

What if my condition gets better—will I lose my benefits?

Social Security can stop your benefits if your condition improves enough that you can work. However, you have a right to request a hearing if you disagree with their decision. You also have a period called "expedited reinstatement" where you can return to work, and if it does not work out, you can get your benefits back without reapplying, as long as you request it within 5 years.

Do I have to be completely unable to work to receive disability benefits?

No. You must be unable to do "substantial gainful activity," which means work that earns a certain amount of money per month. You can do some work, volunteer, or do household tasks. Social Security looks at whether you can do any kind of work that exists in the economy, not just your old job.

How much money will I receive each month?

For SSDI, the amount depends on your earnings record. The average SSDI payment varies, but you can create a "my Social Security" account at ssa.gov to see your estimated benefit. For SSI, the federal payment is $943 per month in 2024 for a single person, but many states add extra money on top of this. The exact amount depends on your income and resources.

Can I work with a lawyer to help me through the process?

Yes. You can hire a disability lawyer or non-lawyer representative to help you with your case. They can charge you a fee only if you win your case, and Social Security must approve the fee (usually up to 25 percent of your back payment). Many disability lawyers work on this basis because they are only paid if you are approved.