What are the two types of Social Security disability?

The two main types of Social Security disability benefits are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), for those with a strong work history who paid Social Security taxes, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a needs-based program for disabled, blind, or aged individuals with limited income and resources. SSDI is based on your earnings record, while SSI is for low-income individuals, though you can sometimes receive both (concurrently).


What's the difference between SSI disability and SSDI?

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is for workers with a significant work history, providing benefits based on past earnings, while SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for low-income individuals, regardless of work history, with strict asset/income limits, and both programs require a qualifying disability but differ in funding, eligibility, and medical coverage (SSDI leads to Medicare, SSI often to Medicaid). You can even receive both ("concurrent benefits") if you qualify for both.
 

What are the two different types of social security disability?

The two main types of Social Security disability benefits are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), for those with a strong work history, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a needs-based program for those with limited income and resources. SSDI is an insurance program based on your earnings, while SSI is a federal assistance program for low-income individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled, with eligibility depending on financial need. 


How do I know if my Social Security is SSI or SSDI?

To know if you get SSI or SSDI, check your official Social Security Award Letter, look for specific text in your bank deposit (e.g., "SSA Tres 310 SocSec" for SSDI, "SSI Tres 310 Supp Sec" for SSI), or log into your "my Social Security" account online at ssa.gov to see details; SSI is needs-based (low income/resources), while SSDI is based on work credits. 

Can you get both SSDI and SSI?

Yes, you can get both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at the same time; it's called receiving "concurrent benefits," and it happens when your SSDI payment is low due to limited work history, allowing SSI to supplement it up to the federal maximum, also qualifying you for other benefits like Medicare/Medicaid. 


The Two Types of Social Security Disability Programs - Tampa Personal Injury Attorney Stephen Brooks



How long can a person stay on social security disability?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits generally last as long as you remain medically disabled and unable to work, but they convert to retirement benefits at your full retirement age (around 67), or can end if your condition improves, you return to substantial work, or you're incarcerated. The Social Security Administration (SSA) conducts periodic reviews, called Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs), to check your eligibility, with review frequency depending on the likelihood of medical improvement (e.g., every 3 or 7 years). 

Which pays more, SSI or social security disability?

Final Verdict: SSDI Pays More

If you qualify for both programs, SSDI typically provides higher monthly payments because it is based on your earnings history. SSI is a great option for individuals with little to no work history who need financial assistance.

What is the downside of social security disability?

Negatives of getting Social Security Disability (SSD) include potentially low benefit amounts (often not enough to live on), significant health insurance gaps (Medicare starts 24 months late), the long and difficult application process, strict work/income limits, and potential loss of other benefits like SSI or Medicaid, plus the risk of reviews and overpayment issues. 


How much does SSDI pay monthly?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments vary, but the average is around $1,537 monthly (2024 data), with a maximum around $3,822, depending on your lifetime earnings and work history, calculated as a percentage of your earnings. For an exact amount, you must create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. 

What do people with disabilities get for free?

Supplemental Security Income is based on financial need. Overseen by Social Security, it's designed to help people who are elderly or have disabilities and little or no income. SSI pays for expenses like food, clothing, and shelter. Participants get monthly checks.

Is it harder to get SSI or SSDI?

Neither SSI nor SSDI is definitively harder overall; they have different hurdles: SSDI is harder due to strict work credit requirements, but has no income/asset limits, while SSI is harder due to strict financial (income/resource) limits, but doesn't need a work history, making it better for those with few resources but little work history. Both use the same tough medical criteria, and initial denials are common for both, often requiring appeals. 


What medical conditions qualify for SSDI?

Medical conditions that qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) must be severe enough to prevent substantial work for at least 12 months, covering major body systems like musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and mental health, as detailed in the SSA's "Blue Book". Common examples include severe arthritis, heart disease, cancer, depression, Crohn's, COPD, and multiple sclerosis, but eligibility hinges on proving the condition prevents any work, not just your previous job, with sufficient work credits also needed. 

Why will some Social Security recipients get two checks in December?

Some Social Security recipients, specifically those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), got two checks in December 2025 because January 1st, New Year's Day, is a federal holiday, causing the January 2026 payment to be moved up to December 31st, resulting in December's payment (Dec 1st) and January's payment (Dec 31st) both landing in December. This is a standard Social Security Administration (SSA) practice for SSI payments, not a bonus, ensuring funds are available before holidays or weekends. 

At what age does social security disability turn into regular Social Security?

Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits automatically convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits once you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which depends on your birth year, generally turning into retirement benefits at age 67 for those born in 1960 or later, with no interruption or change in your monthly payment amount. 


Can you get both social security and disability checks?

SSDI benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits at full retirement age. You may temporarily receive both early retirement and SSDI if your disability claim is filed before but approved after getting early retirement benefits. You might be eligible for SSI in addition to a small retirement benefit amount.

How much will my first SSDI check be?

It is estimated as 70–90% (depending on income) of the wages you earned 5 to 18 months before your claim start date and up to the maximum WBA. Note: Your claim start date is the date your disability begins.

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in social security?

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 


Can you spend your disability money on whatever you want?

Yes, for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you can generally spend your money on anything, but for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must spend it on basic needs (food, housing, medical) to avoid impacting eligibility; for both, spending wisely on essentials (rent, food, healthcare) is recommended, while luxury spending is allowed but can risk resource limits for SSI, especially if you have a representative payee who must report all spending to the SSA. 

What is the hardest thing to get disability for?

Here are the Top Disabilities That Are Difficult To Prove
  • Mental Health Conditions. Mental illness stands as one of the most prevalent causes of disability, yet its impact is often underestimated or misunderstood. ...
  • Chronic Pain Disorders. ...
  • Fibromyalgia. ...
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. ...
  • Autoimmune Disorders.


Is it better to retire or go on disability?

Disability (like Social Security Disability Insurance - SSDI) is for those medically unable to work due to severe conditions, offering income replacement, while Retirement is age-based, providing benefits once you've reached a certain age (early at 62, full later). The key difference: disability requires proving you can't work (medically), while retirement relies on age and work credits; disability often converts to retirement benefits at full retirement age, and you usually can't get both simultaneously. 


Can I work while receiving SSDI?

Yes, you can work while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), thanks to programs like the Trial Work Period (TWP) and Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) that let you test your ability to work without immediately losing benefits, but you must report all work to the Social Security Administration (SSA) as earnings limits apply after the TWP. The TWP allows 9 months of work (over a specific earning amount, e.g., $1,160/month in 2025) to receive full benefits, followed by an EPE where benefits can continue for up to 36 months if earnings aren't "substantial" (e.g., over $1,620/month in 2025). 

What is the average amount a person gets on disability?

If you qualify for SSDI, most people get between $800 and $2,200 per month. In 2025, the average SSDI check is around $1,537 per month. If you had high earnings over many years, you could get more. If your earnings were low or you worked less, your check might be smaller.