Social Security has two disability benefits programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
SSI is for people who have low income or no income, and little or no work history. You have to have less than $2,000 in countable resources to be eligible for SSI. SSI comes with Medicaid, and you get it right away when you start getting SSI. In 2025, the maximum amount of SSI is $967 per month. What you actually get depends on your income, your living arrangements, and your family size.
SSDI is for people who have work history. SSDI does not have a resource limit. SSDI comes with Medicare, and you get it 24 months after you start getting SSDI. How much you get depends on your work history.
Some people get SSI and SSDI; that happens if the amount of SSDI you’re eligible for is less than $967, and if you’re also eligible for SSI. If you get both, your monthly payment will likely be $987 ($20 more than the SSI maximum).
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Tip: If you’re not sure if you qualify for SSDI, create a MySSA account! Your account will tell you if you have enough work credits to qualify, and it will give you an estimate of what your benefit might be if your application is approved. From the main login page, scroll down to “Eligibility and Earnings” to see if you have enough work credits.
Scroll down to “More Benefits” to see your estimated benefit.
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