If you have a disability that prevents you from working, then you’ll likely qualify for SSI benefits and SSDI benefits. Both of these programs are run by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and have different criteria for qualification. For instance, SSDI is based on how much you were earning before you had to stop working and how long you were paying social security taxes. SSI is tied to your current income.
So that’s two ways to get money from government. The question is, can you get both disability benefits at the same time? The answer is yes, you can! There’s even a term for it: it’s called “concurrent benefits.”
Receiving SSI and SSDI At The Same Time
While you can receive SSDI and SSI at the same time, you’ll first need to be eligible for both benefits. If you currently receive SSI, the sum of both the SSI and SSDI cannot be greater than your highest SSI payment. It’s normally not necessary to apply for both individually because the SSA would be looking to see if you were eligible; if they determine that you are, then they’ll put you forward to receive the concurrent benefits. There’s a limit on how much you can receive from SSI, and because of this, many people that receive SSDI payments do not qualify for SSI. This is because the amount that they earn from SSDI is more than the Federal Benefit Rate limit.
The monthly limit as set by the Federal Benefit Rate is $794 for individuals and $1,191 for couples. With that being said, it’s important not to get too fixated on that number because only around half of a person’s monthly income qualifies for consideration in the SSA assessment. So just because you had an income of $1,500, that doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t qualify for SSI.
Benefits of Receiving Both
There’s a pretty simple and obvious reason why a person would want to receive both SSI and SSDI benefits: if you combine them together, then you’ll be getting as much money as possible from the Social Security Administration. If you have a disability and you’re unable to work, then the additional money that you receive could have a significant impact on your life. If you were receiving less than $794 through SSI or SSDI, then applying for both could raise your monthly income to that amount. There are many ways to save money as older adult, but simply getting more money is the most effective option!
There’s another reason why it’s advantageous to receive both benefits. It could have a profound impact on your medical bills. If you receive both, then you could qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare. When you get SSI, you’ll usually automatically qualify for Medicaid (in most states, anyway). People who receive SSDI can qualify for Medicare after two years have passed following the onset of their disability.
If you receive both SSDI and SSI, then you’ll be eligible for both. And that means more choice, autonomy, and better healthcare.
How to Apply For SSI and SSDI
Everything connected to social security and disability can seem a little confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re already receiving SSI and SSDI, then the social security administration will determine whether you qualify for concurrent benefits. They will assess your income, as well as whether you qualify from a medical standpoint — your disability must be listed within the blue book.
To get SSDI, you’ll need to have paid into the social security system. Though it’s not a hard and fast rule, you’ll generally need to have worked in five of the past ten years.
SSI is connected to the needs of the individual, not how much they’ve contributed in the past. To quality for SSI, you’ll need to have less than $2,000 in income each month if you’re an individual or $3,000 if you’re married.
Final Thoughts
If you want to improve your financial situation, then you can look at ways to save money, or you can get more money. And that’s just what receiving both SSI and SSDI can do for people with a disability. These are the two financial aid for disabled programs, so it’s worthwhile getting in touch with an expert to see how you can qualify for the benefits. Once you’ve raised your money payments, you’ll be less anxious about how to stay afloat until retirement age; and you will get some of the peace of mind that comes with financial security.
If you are looking to start the process of getting approved for Social Security Disability Benefits, or speak to someone that can help you with your application, click here to complete a quick 30 second form now to see if you qualify.
