SSDI vs SSI

During the application process, the Social Security Administration will ask you what disability programs you wish to apply for. Many people believe that there is only one disability program, when in actuality, there are many.

There are two primary disability programs:

• Social Security Disability – also known as SDI or SSDI or Title II benefits

• Supplemental Security Income – also known as SSI or Title XVI benefits.

For both of these programs, the Social Security Administration’s definition of ‘disability’ is identical. For more information on what physical or mental issues qualify for disability, please review the information here.

However, in order to qualify for disability, you must be eligible for either the SSDI or SSI programs.

SSDI Eligibility

To qualify for Social Security Disability (SSDI), you must have earned a certain number of ‘work credits’. Depending on the wages you made in the past, you earn a ‘work credit’ by being employed in a job where a certain amount of social security taxes are taken out of your paycheck. You often see these withdrawals on your regular paycheck stub or on your year-end W-2 form.

The amount needed for a work credit changes from year to year. In 2026, workers earn one Social Security credit for each $1,890 in covered earnings, up to four credits per year. Work credits are sometimes called ‘quarter points’.

The number of work credits required depends on your age and when you claim to have become disabled. Generally, you need to have worked for 5 out of the last 10 years (20 out of the last 40 quarters). in order to obtain the necessary ‘work credits’.

If you satisfy this requirement, you are eligible to apply for Social Security Disability. Your eligibility remains no matter how much money or assets you own. Some people wrongly believe that they cannot own anything or have any savings in the bank in order to apply for disability. This is not true. In fact, you can be the richest person in your city and still be eligible if you have the required number of work credits.

The Social Security Disability program is the preferred program over SSI. It is designed to pay disability benefits equal to the maximum amount of retirement benefits a person would have received had they reached maximum retirement age and applied for the Social Security Retirement program.

SSI Eligibility

There are many people who, for various reasons, have not had the ability to work to the extent required in order to obtain the necessary work credits required to be eligible for Social Security Disability.

As a result of these situations, the Social Security Administration also offers the Supplemental Security Income Disability (SSI) program. Upon qualifying for SSI, a person will receive a monthly benefit, but, it will be much less than what they would have received had they been eligible for SSDI. The SSI program’s goal is to assist and help meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

In order to be eligible to apply for SSI, there are certain income and asset restrictions. Income restrictions would include wages, pensions, and other sources of income. Asset restrictions include things you own such as cash, bank accounts, real estate, stocks, and bonds. Generally, the resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.

The Social Security Administration has a PDF document that further explains some of the income and asset restrictions for eligibility for SSI. You can review it here.

If you are unsure whether you qualify for either program, the Social Security Administration’s application process will allow you to apply for both. Then, the SSA will review your employment history, your prior wages, and your current assets.