SSI and SSDI — Disability Benefits

Guide last updated: April 17, 2026. Hazard class: financial and health. Civic education by a Concerned Parent.

The short version

The Social Security Administration runs two major disability programs. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is for people who worked and paid into Social Security long enough before becoming disabled. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for disabled, blind, or elderly people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Applications take months (or years) to decide. Most initial applications are denied — many are approved on appeal. Representation significantly improves outcomes.

SSDI vs SSI — key differences

	SSDI	SSI
Funding	Payroll tax contributions	General tax revenue
Work history required	Yes — work credits based on past earnings	No
Income limit	Limited post-disability earnings OK (SGA rules)	Strict — counts most income
Asset limit	No asset limit	$2,000 individual / $3,000 couple
Medical requirement	Same disability standard	Same disability standard
Health coverage	Medicare after 24 months	Medicaid (automatic in most states)
Benefit amount	Based on past earnings (avg ~$1,500/mo)	Federal base ~$943/mo (2024) + state supplement
Waiting period	5 months from onset	First of month after application

Many people qualify for both (concurrent benefits) — SSDI based on work history, with SSI supplementing if SSDI is below the SSI income threshold.

SSA's disability standard

To qualify, you must have a medical condition that:

Prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA)
Is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death
Is documented by acceptable medical sources

The SGA threshold is approximately $1,550/month for 2024 (higher for blind individuals). Earning more than SGA while receiving benefits can disqualify you.

How SSA decides

Disability is determined through a five-step sequential evaluation:

Are you working above SGA? If yes → denied.
Is your condition "severe"? If no → denied.
Does your condition meet or equal a "Listing"? If yes → approved. The Listings are a compendium of specific medical impairments at specific severity levels.
Can you do past relevant work? If yes → denied.
Can you do any work in the national economy? If yes → denied. If no → approved.

Step 5 considers age, education, work skills, and residual functional capacity. Older claimants with limited education have easier paths at Step 5.

How to apply

Online

Most people can apply at ssa.gov. SSDI applications are fully online. SSI applications require partial online + scheduled appointment.

By phone

Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

In person

Visit a local SSA office (find at ssa.gov/locator).

Documentation you'll need

Medical records and provider contact information
List of all medications
Work history (employers, dates, earnings)
Education history
Social Security number (citizens and lawful non-citizens)
Birth certificate
Tax returns (for self-employed)

The appeal process

Most initial applications are denied — often 60-70%. The appeal path:

Reconsideration — same medical evidence, different reviewer. Approval rate ~15%. Deadline: 60 days from denial.
ALJ hearing — before an Administrative Law Judge. Approval rates often 45-55%. You testify; vocational and medical experts may testify. Deadline: 60 days from reconsideration denial. Wait time often 1-2 years for a hearing.
Appeals Council review — review of ALJ decision. Approval rates ~15%.
Federal district court — review of Appeals Council action.

Representation dramatically improves outcomes at ALJ hearings. Attorneys are paid out of past-due benefits (statutorily capped; no out-of-pocket cost to you).

SSI specific rules

Resources

$2,000 individual / $3,000 couple asset limit
Home is excluded
One vehicle is excluded
Household goods are excluded
Burial funds up to $1,500 excluded
Retirement accounts count

Income

Earned income: first $65 + ½ of remainder excluded
Unearned income: first $20 excluded
Food and shelter from others count as "in-kind support and maintenance"
Spouse's income counts (deeming)
Parent's income counts for minor children (deeming)

Reporting changes

Must report changes in income, resources, living arrangement, and household composition promptly. Failure to report can trigger overpayment + penalties.

SSDI specific rules

Work credits

You need enough work credits — generally 40 credits (10 years of work) for older workers, fewer for younger workers. Credits must be "recent" (within a certain period before the disability).

Trial Work Period

SSDI recipients can test return-to-work: 9 months of earning above the trial work amount without losing benefits, followed by a 36-month extended period of eligibility during which benefits continue in months you earn under SGA.

DAC (Disabled Adult Child) benefits

An adult child disabled before age 22 whose parent is receiving Social Security or has died may qualify for benefits on the parent's work record.

Medical record building

SSA decisions depend heavily on medical records. To strengthen your case:

See doctors consistently and explain how your condition limits you
Ask doctors to document specific functional limits (can lift 10 lbs, can sit 30 min, etc.)
Take all prescribed medications and follow treatment
Request a residual functional capacity (RFC) form from your doctors
Attend any SSA-ordered consultative exams
Keep a journal of symptoms, good days/bad days, what triggers flares

Free or low-cost help

Equip for Equality — 312-341-0022 — legal help for disability-related issues
Legal Council for Health Justice — health and disability benefits
Illinois SHIP — senior health insurance assistance (for Medicare interaction)
Legal Aid Chicago — Health and Disability — 312-341-1070
National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) — attorney directory, nosscr.org

Social Security attorneys are paid on contingency from past-due benefits (fee capped by statute). No upfront cost to clients.