CAN YOU GET BOTH SSDI and SSI BENEFITS?

If you meet all the requirements for both programs, you may receive both SSDI and SSI benefits at the same time. This is called "concurrent benefits." However, getting both is unlikely.

Most claimants cannot qualify for both SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). Most will qualify for one or the other, not both.

The two programs are very different and are designed to serve different circumstances.

SSI works like a welfare program. You don't need any work history for SSI. You aren't required to have paid in to anything. However, it has very strict (very low) income limits. And the maximum SSI benefit for a non-blind individual is $783 per month. Becausef the SSDI benefit is often more, it usually rules out the SSI.

SSDI is government disability insurance you paid by payroll deduction through your employers. Out of every paycheck, you had FICA withheld. FICA is the mandatory Social Security and Medicare tax. SSDI is based on the fact that you worked and paid into the plan, therefore you are "insured" b y Social Security against disability.

Most claimants have too much income and too much property value (resources) to qualify for SSI. Yes, SSI is "means tested." It is for persons who need the $783 benefit to even have basic necessities. Being disabled does not qualify unless there are severe financial needs. If a spouse works, for example, her income is also included when calculating the claimant's "household income."

SSDI has no income restrictions and does not count the value of your property, the income of other household members, etc. against you. The maximum benefit (check) for a non-blind individual on SSDI can be $3,011 per month. Quite higher than the benefit under SSI ($783).

Let's use an example to illustrate: "Jill" has a long work history and can qualify for SSDI benefits. Her SSDI benefit is approved for $1,850 per month.

That's more than the maximum SSI benefit of $783 per month. Social Security counts the SSDI benefit of $1,850 against eligibility for SSI. Simply put, since Jill started receiving SSDI benefits, she has too much income to qualify for SSI benefits.

Jill might qualify for some SSI benefit before her SSDI payments start. Her income prior to receiving the SSDI money might be low enough to get a retroactive SSI benefit.

Also, if Jill had a very limited work history and her SSDI benefit was very low, she might get some SSI and some SSDI benefit. Let's say her SSDI benefit was only $500 per month (uinusually low). This is below the SSI maximum benefit of $783. So, Jill might receive SSDI for $283 per month--bringing her total benefit up to $738, the maximum allowed by SSI. For most claimants, though, the SSDI benefit is more than $783, so it eliminates ongoing SSI payments.

Confusing, I know. There are two sources of information about Social Security disability and both are free.

1. Call your local Social Security field office.

2. Call a Social Security attorney for a free consultation (usually a phone call is all).