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Some claimants only apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, while others only apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. However, in some instances, claimants may qualify for both. Applying for both types of benefits simultaneously is called a “concurrent claim.”
Can I Receive SSDI and SSI Benefits at the Same Time?
Under certain circumstances, a claimant may be eligible to collect SSI and SSDI simultaneously (called “concurrent benefits”). This typically happens when a disability applicant is approved for SSDI but only receives a low monthly payment.
Note: A low SSDI payment can be caused by not working much in recent years or making low wages.
To qualify for an SSI payment in addition to (or concurrently with) an SSDI payment, the claimant must have less than $710 per month of unearned income (this is the rate in 2013). Generally speaking, the SSI income limits can be fairly complicated. The income limit is higher in some states than in others. And if you are working and making some earned income, an even different limit applies. The SSI program also has asset limits, meaning you can only have a limited amount of cash savings, valuable property, and other assets to qualify for SSI. Like qualifying for food stamps, you must prove you are “poor enough” to qualify for SSI.
In the end, if (1) your monthly income and overall assets are low enough to qualify for Supplemental Security Income, and (2) you have also worked long enough in one or more jobs and paid sufficient Social Security taxes into the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) system to earn enough work credits, you may qualify to receive both types of benefits at once. However, remember that your SSDI payment is included as income when calculating whether you are eligible for SSI. Sometimes, your SSDI payment will be so high you may not qualify for SSI benefits.
How Do I File Concurrent Claims for SSDI and SSI?
Most claimants are unaware that there are two programs for disability with the Social Security Administration. So, how can you be sure to apply for the right one or both?
Whether you apply for SSI, SSDI, or both, your local Social Security district office will evaluate your income and assets and determine whether your claim is concurrent. The category of your disability claim (SSI, SSDI, or both) will not affect the medical evaluation of the claim.
In other words, an SSI claim will be medically reviewed in exactly the same way as an SSDI claim. Both benefit programs use the same definition of disability and the same five-step disability evaluation process to determine disability.
Will My SSDI and SSI Benefits Stack?
SSDI and SSI benefits do not “stack” on one another. In other words, you don’t add the entire amount you may qualify for under each program together. You cannot receive a higher monthly combined benefit than you would otherwise receive under the SSI program alone. The amount of your SSDI payment will lower your SSI payment amount to match the maximum SSI payment amount.
However, if your SSDI benefit is under $943 per month (the current maximum SSI monthly payment amount in 2024) and you qualify for SSI, you will receive an SSI payment for the difference between your SSDI benefit and $943. For example, if you are eligible to receive $500 in SSDI benefits and you are eligible to receive SSI, you would receive $500 in SSDI and $443 in SSI benefits ($943 minus $500) each month for a total of $943.
Another benefit of collecting SSDI when you are also eligible for SSI is that you may be eligible to receive Medicare health insurance benefits as an SSDI recipient. However, you must wait two years from the beginning of your SSDI eligibility to qualify for Medicare benefits. In contrast, SSI recipients are eligible to receive Medicaid benefits alone. Although Medicaid does provide payment for more services overall than Medicare, more doctors accept Medicare coverage, so it may be easier to find a Medicare provider.
Ortiz Law Firm Can Help You Get the Disability Benefits You Deserve
Are you having trouble getting the disability benefits you’re entitled to? Nick Ortiz, an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer in Pensacola, can help. His firm, Ortiz Law Firm, handles disability claims across the nation. If you need assistance, call (888) 321-8131 for a free case evaluation. We’ll discuss your claim and guide you through the process of securing the benefits you deserve.