What is SSDI?

SSDI is Social Security Disability Insurance, a federal program that pays monthly, tax-free benefits to people who cannot work because of a qualifying disability. It is available to workers who have earned enough work credits to be insured through the program. To receive SSDI, you must submit a disability application to the Social Security Administration, or SSA. If approved, the amount you receive will be based on your earnings.

Key Takeaways

SSDI is a tax-free federal program providing benefits to those who cannot work due to a qualifying disability, while SSI is a needs-based program for individuals with limited income, not requiring work credits.
It’s possible to receive both SSDI and SSI benefits; if your SSDI payments are lower than SSI, you can receive additional funds to meet the maximum SSI limit.
While you can work when receiving SSDI, your earnings must not exceed the substantial gainful activity level, which is $1,620 per month in 2025, or $2,700 for those who are blind.
Applying for SSDI involves submitting a detailed application with medical and employment information, and you can appeal a denial through a structured four-level process.
SSDI benefit amounts are based on lifetime earnings covered by Social Security, with the maximum monthly benefit being $4,108 in 2025.

SSI vs. SSDI

SSI is Supplemental Security Income, a monthly, needs-based benefit program for people who are blind, disabled, or over 65 with limited income and resources. If you are under 65, you must have a qualifying disability that generally meets the SSDI criteria. However, you do not need work credits to qualify for SSI. Instead, you must have limited resources.

SSDI benefits are based on earnings, while SSI is based on income. The monthly benefit amount for both programs is adjusted annually for inflation, known as the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA.

Can You Get Both SSDI and SSI?

Yes, it is possible to receive both SSDI and SSI simultaneously. If you receive Social Security Disability and the amount is lower than the amount you could receive from SSI, you can receive SSI in addition to your disability benefits. The Social Security Administration will calculate your SSI by deducting your countable monthly SSDI benefits from the maximum SSI payment available. In 2025, the maximum monthly SSI payment is $967 for a single person or $1450 for a couple.

When calculating SSI benefits, the Social Security Administration typically does not count the first $20 as countable income. For example, if you are single and you receive $500 monthly through SSDI, the Social Security Administration will calculate your SSI benefit as follows:

Calculate your countable income by deducting $20 from your SSDI: $500 – 20 = $480.
Deduct your countable income from the maximum SSI benefit: $943 – $480 = $463.
Your total income from both programs is $963.

How Much Does SSDI Pay?

The amount you receive for Social Security Disability depends on your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security. These are the earnings through which you paid payroll taxes, also known as FICA taxes. The maximum monthly benefit available as of 2024 is $4,018. However, most people receive less than the maximum. The average SSDI payout in September 2024 was $1,539.84.

The Social Security Administration’s benefit calculator allows you to estimate your monthly benefits. To use the calculator, you must establish a Social Security account online and sign in. For a simple estimate of how much you are entitled to in SSDI benefits, see our SSDI calculator.

Your monthly benefit may be reduced if you also receive benefits through any of the following programs:

Medicare Coverage

If you are approved for Social Security Disability, you also qualify for Medicare coverage, a publicly funded health insurance program. However, the Social Security Administration imposes a 24-month waiting period from the start date of your disability benefits. Meanwhile, you may qualify for health insurance coverage through a previous employer.

Who Qualifies for SSDI?

To be eligible for SSDI, you must have a qualifying disability and sufficient work credits.

What Is a Qualifying Disability?

A qualifying disability is a disabling medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or end in death. The condition must prevent you from doing the following:

Work Credits

Rather than counting the years you worked, Social Security tabulates your work credits based on how much you earn each year. The higher your earnings, the more work credits you earn. You can earn up to 4 credits per year.

The Social Security Administration uses your work credits to determine whether you pass the recent work and duration tests. The work credits required for both tests vary based on your age at the disability’s onset.

Your work credits are used only for qualifying purposes. They have no bearing on the amount of your monthly benefit payments. Your total earnings are used to calculate your monthly benefit payments.

The Recent Work Test

The SSA requires you to have earned some of your work credits during the period immediately preceding your injury. This requirement varies by age. For example, applicants over 30 must have earned at least 20 credits during the 10 years immediately preceding their disabilities. However, if you were younger than 24 when your disability began, you will need six credits from the three years preceding your injury.

The Duration Test

The duration test measures your lifetime work credits, regardless of when the work occurred. The older you are when your disability begins, the more work credits you will need to pass the duration test. For example, if your disability began when you were 30, you need a work history that is at least two years long. However, at age 60, you need nine-and-a-half years of work history. These figures are only estimates and may vary.

Can You Work While on SSDI?

Yes, you can work while receiving SSDI, but you must report all earnings to the SSA. Your earnings must be lower than the substantial gainful activity level. This amount is the maximum you can earn from employment. As of 2024, the maximum amount is $1,620 per month or $2,700 for applicants who are blind. This amount is adjusted annually according to the COLA.

The Social Security Administration also allows beneficiaries to attempt to return to work for a nine-month trial period without losing benefits. The nine months need not be consecutive. Once you complete the nine months, you will remain eligible for an “extended period of eligibility” for the following three years. During this period, you can continue receiving benefits for months when your earnings are lower than the substantial gainful activity level but not for months when your earnings equal or exceed it.

Disabilities that Qualify for SSDI

The Social Security Administration’s Blue Book or Listing of Impairments comprehensively specifies the conditions that commonly meet the medical criteria for Social Security Disability. These include such conditions as the following:

Applying for SSDI

You can apply for Social Security Disability online, in person at a local Social Security Field Office, or over the phone. You will need detailed information, including a list of your doctors, medical tests, injury information, and medications. You also will need employment records and information to prove your identity.

Social Security will review your application to determine whether you have enough work credits. If so, your state’s Disability Determination Service will review your application. This process could take several months. You will receive a letter in the mail when your application is approved or denied. Social Security may ask for additional information during this time or require you to undergo a physical examination.

Common Reasons for Denials

The SSA only approved 30.8 percent of Social Security Disability applications in 2020, the lowest amount on record. The most common reasons for denial include the following:

A denial does not mean you are unqualified. The application process is complex, and the administration can easily come to a false conclusion. An experienced Social Security Disability lawyer will know how to ensure your SSDI application is strong and meets Social Security’s strict criteria.

Appealing SSDI

Fortunately, a denial is not final. The Social Security Administration offers the following four-level appeal process, which you can initiate online:

Reconsideration – a request for a second examiner to review your application
Administrative Law Judge hearing
An Appeals Council review of the hearing decision
A Federal District Court lawsuit

You must file your appeal within 60 days of a denial. Appeals are significantly less likely to yield an approval. It is crucial to hire an attorney with extensive experience handling SSDI appeals rather than attempting this process yourself. Being denied benefits is often the result of complicated paperwork and application processes. It does not mean you are not qualified.

How We Can Help

Whether you are applying for Social Security Disability for the first time or appealing a denial, we can handle the entire process on your behalf. Our experienced SSDI lawyers have a deep understanding of the Social Security Administration’s requirements, and we know what it takes to get your application approved. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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