What is SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance, commonly called SSDI, provides benefits to people who meet Social Security's disability rules and are insured through covered work. The work requirement depends on Social Security credits earned through employment or self-employment. Certain family members may also qualify on an insured worker's earnings record.
What is SSI?
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, provides payments to adults and children who meet the program's disability or blindness rules and have limited income and resources. SSI can also serve qualifying adults age 65 or older without requiring a disability. Unlike SSDI, SSI is not based on a person's prior work history.
How do the programs differ?
| Question | SSDI | SSI |
|---|---|---|
| What is the financial foundation? | An insured earnings record based on Social Security-covered work. | Limited income and resources under SSI program rules. |
| Is prior work required? | Usually, although some dependents may qualify on another person's record. | No prior-work requirement. |
| Can children be covered? | Some dependents may qualify on an eligible worker's record. | Children may qualify under SSI's child disability and financial rules. |
| Who decides eligibility? | SSA. | SSA. |
Can someone receive both SSI and SSDI?
Yes, some people receive benefits under both programs. SSA calls this concurrent eligibility. Whether that applies depends on the person's full situation, including the applicable medical, work, income, resource, and other program rules.
Are the medical rules the same?
SSA explains that the definition of disability is the same for adults applying under SSDI and adults applying for SSI. Children applying for SSI use a different child disability standard. Meeting a medical definition does not automatically establish that every other program requirement is met.