Managing concurrent Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims can be an overwhelming and sometimes complex process. However, our seasoned Leesburg disability attorney group handles such claims and is ready to help you get the benefits you need.
A common question is whether receiving SSDI and SSI benefits simultaneously is possible. It is possible and is known as receiving ‘concurrent’ benefits, but it is important to note the differences between the two programs and how they can affect the monetary amount you receive from each one.
What Are The Differences Between SSDI and SSI Benefits?
SSDI and SSI are benefit programs for people considered disabled by Social Security’s standards, meaning they have a disabling injury or illness that prevents them from working for at least a year. SSDI benefits are distributed to disabled people regardless of their financial situation. The overarching requirement for receiving these benefits is that you must have paid Social Security taxes and held a job for a certain period of time, determined by the state you reside in. The monetary amount depends on your average lifetime earnings. SSI benefits are only available to a disabled, blind, or elderly person with a low income and limited financial resources. These benefits are not contingent upon job status or whether or not you have paid Social Security taxes. However, to receive SSI, your “countable” income (which includes SSDI payments and other benefits) must not exceed a specified limit set by the government. For 2023, these limits are $914 a month for individuals and $1,371 for married couples. So, if your SSDI amount exceeds $914 a month, you are ineligible for SSI benefits. If the amount is lower, you can receive SSI benefits, but the amount will be reduced by almost the entire amount of your SSDI. Navigating the intricacies of SSDI and SSI benefits and their limitations is often a complicated process to take on yourself, so reaching out to a Social Security Disability attorney in Leesburg can benefit you in the long run due to our streamlined process for handling SSDI and SSI concurrent claims. Below is the typical process of working with one of our attorneys.