Can I Get SSDI and Social Security at the Same Time?

Virginia residents with disabilities may be eligible for both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The eligibility criteria and application processes can be complex, and preparing a claim can feel overwhelming. Dealing with a disabling injury or medical condition is already stressful enough, both emotionally and financially. Navigating the application only adds to that burden. Requirements can also change over time due to personal circumstances or policy updates. Using outdated criteria can lead to delays or even the denial of benefits.

At Montagna Law, we guide Virginia residents through this process. We understand Virginia’s disability laws and the specific rules governing SSI and SSDI. Our help can improve the likelihood of receiving the benefits you need in a timely manner and reduce the administrative burden so you can focus on your health and well-being.

Definition of Disability

Under Social Security Administration (SSA) guidelines, disability means having a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that prevents substantial gainful activity. The impairment must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. This definition applies to both SSDI and SSI.

What Types of Disabilities Qualify for SSDI and SSI?

Many types of disabilities may qualify for SSDI or SSI. Common examples include:

• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Cancer
• Neurological conditions
• Depression
• Schizophrenia
• Cardiovascular system disorders
• Respiratory disorders
• Blindness
• Digestive system disorders
• Immune system disorders

The SSA Blue Book provides the guidelines used to determine if a person meets the criteria for benefits. Even if your condition is not listed, you may still qualify if it limits your ability to work.

What Are the Key Differences Between SSI and SSDI?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is known for providing retirement benefits to Americans who have paid into the system through payroll taxes. It also administers disability benefit programs, including SSI and SSDI. While these programs share some similarities, they have important differences.

What Is SSI?

SSI provides disability benefits regardless of work history. To qualify, a person must have a limited income and few assets. It is a needs-based program designed for disabled individuals with demonstrated low income.

Who Can Qualify for SSI?

To qualify for SSI, individuals must meet specific criteria related to age, disability, and financial need:

• Be at least 65 years old, or
• Be blind (as defined by the SSA), or
• Have a qualifying disability or impairment that prevents working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death

SSI payments often start sooner than SSDI payments. Benefits begin the month after whichever of the following occurs later:

• The date the beneficiary submits the application
• The onset date of the condition that makes them eligible for SSI

SSI Benefits

Individuals who qualify for SSI may receive a monthly benefit to help cover basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. Several factors determine the amount of financial assistance you receive, including your living arrangements and countable income.

After excluding the first $20 of most income and the first $65 of monthly earnings, the SSA reduces SSI payments by about $1 for every $2 of additional earned income. This includes wages, self-employment, or other earned income. For every $1 received from non-work sources, such as disability benefits, unemployment payments, or pensions, SSI payments decrease by about $1. Medicaid eligibility may also be affected by your income and resources.

Because of a 2024 rule change, effective September 30, 2024, food no longer reduces your SSI payment. However, shelter provided by others can still count as in-kind support and reduce the federal SSI amount. Any separate state supplement is paid in addition to the federal payment.

What Is SSDI?

The SSA calculates work credits based on your employment history. Since 1978, you can earn up to four credits each year regardless of the calendar quarter. In 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,810 in covered earnings, so $7,240 covers the maximum four credits. These thresholds adjust annually for inflation.

Who Can Qualify for SSDI?

To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must:

• Be unable to work for at least one year because of a qualifying medical condition
• Have earned a minimum number of work credits through employment

The number of required credits increases with age:

• Ages 18 to 23: Six credits in the three years before the disability began
• Ages 24 to 30: Between six and eighteen credits
• Ages 31 and older: Twenty credits in the ten years before the disability began

SSDI benefits do not start as quickly as SSI benefits but may cover a longer period. A five-month waiting period applies before payments begin. Retroactive SSDI benefits may cover up to 12 months before your application date, after accounting for the five-month waiting period. Benefits continue as long as you remain disabled. When you reach your Social Security full retirement age (currently between 66 years and 8 months and 67, depending on your birth year), SSDI benefits convert to retirement benefits.

SSDI Benefits

SSDI benefits are monthly cash payments based on your past earnings. Dependents, such as children living in your home, may also qualify for benefits. Your benefit amount depends on how much you have worked over your lifetime and can vary significantly from person to person.

After 24 months of receiving SSDI, you qualify for Medicare to help cover medical needs. Some individuals, such as those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), qualify for Medicare immediately.

Key SSI and SSDI Differences

Understanding the differences between SSI and SSDI is important if you are unsure which program you may qualify for.

Health Insurance

SSI recipients typically qualify for Medicaid. SSDI recipients qualify for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period from when benefits begin.

What Are the Income and Asset Limits for SSI/SSDI?

Understanding the income and asset limits is essential when determining eligibility for SSI and SSDI.

SSI Income and Asset Limits

SSI is a strict needs-based program with income and resource limits. To qualify, your countable resources cannot exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Certain items do not count toward this limit, including:

• Your home and the land it is on
• One vehicle
• Household goods and personal effects
• Life insurance program policies with limited value
• Burial plots and burial funds up to $1,500 per spouse
• Property used in a trade, business, or your job
• Funds set aside under the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) program
• Up to $100,000 in an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account

SSDI Income and Asset Limits

SSDI is not a needs-based program. There are no asset limits. However, to qualify, you must have a qualifying disability that prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA). In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 per month for those who are blind.

Can You Qualify for Both SSDI and SSI?

Yes, you can apply for and receive both SSI and SSDI benefits at the same time if you qualify for both. This is called receiving concurrent benefits. However, SSDI payments count as income for SSI purposes, which can reduce the total monthly SSI payment you receive.

People often apply for both to increase overall support if their SSDI income is low enough to meet SSI’s strict limits. Even when applying for both, you must still demonstrate financial need to qualify for SSI.

How Do You Qualify for SSI and SSDI Together?

You can apply for both SSI and SSDI benefits at the same time. If approved, you may receive concurrent benefits from both programs. It is important to understand the differences in their eligibility requirements:

• SSI is a needs-based program limited to individuals with low income and few resources.
• SSDI requires that you have enough work credits and a qualifying disability.

The SSA uses a broad definition of “countable income” when evaluating SSI eligibility. SSDI payments count as unearned income for SSI purposes, which can reduce your SSI payment or make you ineligible if your total income exceeds program limits.

Why Should I Apply for Concurrent SSI and SSDI?

SSI has strict income limits that cap your total monthly benefit amount. Even so, applying for concurrent SSI and SSDI benefits can offer several advantages:

• Increased income: If your SSDI benefit is low, SSI can supplement it up to the program’s income limit.
• Shorter waiting period: SSI payments can begin earlier, even during SSDI’s five-month waiting period.
• Healthcare coverage: SSDI recipients qualify for Medicare after 24 months of benefits. SSI recipients typically qualify for Medicaid as soon as payments begin.

How Can a Virginia Social Security Disability Attorney Help You?

From completing your SSDI or SSI application to handling questions or denials from the Social Security office, a disability attorney can be a valuable resource. An attorney can help by gathering medical evidence to support your claim, completing applications accurately and thoroughly, meeting all deadlines throughout the process, representing you at any required hearings, and informing you and your family members about your rights under the law.

At Montagna Law, we work closely with you to help you understand your rights, obligations, and limitations. Because Social Security is a federal program with complex rules, even minor mistakes can cause costly delays. Our goal is to reduce that burden so you can focus on your health and well-being.

With our help, you will have a dedicated team advocating for you throughout the entire process. We strive to provide reliable guidance and personalized support to improve your chances of receiving the benefits you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Get More With SSDI or SSI?

Generally, SSDI pays more than SSI in both average and maximum monthly benefits. However, each case is unique. The amount you might receive depends on your specific circumstances.

Can You Get Back Pay for Both SSI and SSDI?

The https://montagnalaw.com/blog/your-income-options-while-awaiting-disability-benefits/ or longer to review disability applications. Because of this delay, you may receive back pay for both SSDI and SSI, though the details differ. SSDI back pay can cover the period from your SSDI application date until approval and may include retroactive benefits for up to 12 months before your application date, minus a five-month waiting period. SSI back pay, however, can only cover months beginning with the first full month after you file your SSI application.

Does Receiving SSI or SSDI Affect a Veteran’s VA Benefits?

VA disability benefits do not affect your eligibility for SSDI. However, for SSI, most VA benefits, such as disability compensation or pension payments, are considered unearned income. This can reduce your monthly SSI payment or make you ineligible, depending on the amount received. SSI and SSDI benefits do not reduce your VA payments. If you have questions about protecting your VA benefits while applying for disability, our legal team can help.

Is It Better to Be on SSI or SSDI?

For many people, SSDI offers higher average monthly payments than SSI because it is based on work history and past earnings. SSI, by contrast, is a needs-based program for those with limited income and resources who may not qualify for SSDI. Some individuals may be eligible for both programs at the same time.

How Long Can You Stay on SSDI?

You can continue receiving SSDI as long as you remain disabled and meet program requirements. For most people, benefits continue until they reach retirement age, at which point SSDI converts to Social Security retirement benefits. If your condition improves and you can return to work, your benefits may end after a review.

How Do Benefits Work for Disabled Adult Children?

A disabled adult child who became disabled before age 22 may qualify for “child” benefits based on a parent’s Social Security earnings record. These benefits may be available when a parent is deceased or begins receiving retirement or disability benefits.

Why Work With Montagna Law

When you work with us at Montagna Law, you have the resources of an entire law firm supporting you every step of the way. Careful preparation of your application is essential because even a small mistake can cause delays. We know how important it is to avoid unnecessary waiting so you can access the benefits you need as soon as possible.

We review every aspect of your claim to make sure it is accurate, complete, and up to date with the latest federal disability laws and SSA regulations. Navigating the different eligibility requirements for SSI and SSDI can be complicated. Demonstrating enough work credits for SSDI requires one set of information, while meeting SSI’s income and asset limits requires another. We take on that challenge for you.

What Our Clients Say About Montagna Law

“Mr.Montagna was an absolute pleasure on the phone and in person! My friend recommended me to him and I couldn’t have been happier with my decision! Grace was also such a delight to hear from, she always had the best attitude! Mr. Montagna went above and beyond to make sure I would be treated fairly and with that being said if I could give him and Grace 10 stars, I would! Thank you to Montagna law for helping me feel valued!” — Anita C.

“Mr. John Montagna law firm is absolutely awesome. His team is so compassionate, and straight forward. If you have any questions or concerns they do respond and get back to you in a timely manner. If anyone needs a team that doesn’t mind pulling up there sleeve and getting in the ring well montagna law firm is the right one for you.” — Sharonda W.

Ready to File a Concurrent Claim? Speak With Our Disability Lawyer Today.

At Montagna Law, our team of Virginia Social Security disability lawyers proudly serves the Hampton Roads area, including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth, and Suffolk. We can help you understand your options and guide you through every step of the disability application process. Request a free case evaluation today by calling 757-622-8100 or filling out our online contact form.