How Much Do SSI and SSDI Pay When Combined?
The Social Security Administration offers two programs paying disability benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Under the right circumstances, it could be possible for a person with a disabling medical condition to be approved for benefits through both programs. This is called “concurrent benefits.”
There is a limit to the amount a person can receive in combined SSI and SSDI benefits, which may not apply when receiving benefits through only one of the programs. The disability professionals at American Disability Action Group believe that with more than 1.1 million people receiving concurrent benefits, an explanation of how it works and how much SSI and SSDI pay together may be of help.
Differences between SSI and SSDI
SSI and SSDI use the same definition of disability to evaluate applications, but they have different non-medical criteria. The SSDI program was designed for workers who become disabled and unable to work before they are old enough to receive Social Security retirement benefits.
The SSDI program is for people who worked long enough and paid into the Social Security retirement system through FICA taxes on their earnings. SSDI benefits are determined using a formula that relies on a disabled worker’s average lifetime earnings.
The maximum monthly SSDI benefit payable in 2025 is $4,018. Currently, the average monthly benefit amount is about $1,582.
SSI, in contrast, does not require a work history. It is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources. The purpose of the program is to provide monthly benefits to help a person pay for food and shelter.
The programs also differ in the method for determining monthly benefits. SSI benefits have a maximum federal benefit amount subject to annual cost-of-living adjustments based on the rate of inflation. The 2025 maximum monthly federal SSI benefit payable to an individual is $967.
Depending on where they live, people receiving SSI benefits may receive a state-funded supplemental payment each month. Each state determines whether to supplement the federal benefit, the amount it will pay, and the conditions, if any, it sets on it.
The following states do not supplement the federal SSI benefit payment:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Mississippi
- North Dakota
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- Oklahoma
Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory, do not receive a supplement in addition to their federal SSI benefit payment each month.
Concurrent benefits
Although a person has a work history that is long enough to meet the criteria for the SSDI program, they may receive only a small monthly benefit payment. This may occur when someone becomes disabled at a young age with only a minimal work and earnings history, or they may have worked at jobs paying low wages.
A low monthly SSDI benefit payment may not prevent a person from being approved for SSI, in addition to their SSDI. To understand how this could occur, an explanation of the SSI approval process may be of assistance.
The application review process for SSI benefits considers both earned and unearned income of the applicant to determine the individual’s monthly federal benefit payment. Earned income includes the following:
- Wages.
- Self-employment net earnings.
- Payments a person receives for work done in a sheltered workshop program they participate in to become self-supporting.
- Royalties.
- honorarium payments.
However, not all earned income counts toward reducing monthly benefits. A person may exclude the first $65 and one-half of the remaining balance. The earned income that is not excluded reduces the SSI benefits for the month.
Unearned income includes the following:
- Social Security benefits, including SSDI.
- Pensions.
- State disability benefits.
- Unemployment benefits.
- Interest and dividends.
- Money received from relatives and friends.
A person approved to receive dual SSI SSDI income cannot receive the total disability benefits SSI and SSDI pay together. A portion of the SSDI benefits reduce the amount of the SSI benefits.
For example, if a person is approved for SSI payments of $967 per month and $300 in SSDI benefits, their total disability benefits SSI SSDI will be $687. Of the $300 in SSDI benefits, $20 does not count, but $280 counts toward reducing the SSI payment to $687. The dual SSI SSDI income for the month will be $687 from SSI and $300 from SSDI.
Contact the ADA Group for help with concurrent benefits
The disability lawyers at the American Disability Action Group understand how the Social Security application process and concurrent benefits can be overwhelming. Our team of dedicated professionals puts their legal skills to work helping people with disabilities navigate the Social Security disability benefits system.
Whether you need help with an initial application for benefits or to appeal an unfavorable outcome, our experienced disability lawyers are here for you. Our disability attorneys provide nationwide representation. Learn more by contacting ADA Group today for a free consultation.
Sources:
- SSDI monthly average benefit and number of people on SSDI and SSI: https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/quickfacts/stat_snapshot/
- State-funded supplement to SSI: https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-benefits-ussi.htm
- SSDI and SSI: https://www.usa.gov/social-security-disability