Who Can Get SSDI and SSI Benefits at the Same Time?

Anyone who has a disability that is preventing them from working should find out about Social Security disability benefits. Yet an initial search into these benefits can be confusing given that there are two types of benefits with different requirements. Both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are types of disability benefits provided through the Social Security Administration (SSA), but even though their acronyms are similar, they are quite different types of benefits. Often, a disabled person will only be eligible for one of these types of benefits, but there are also many cases in which a disabled person may be eligible to obtain both SSDI and SSI payments.

Being unable to work due to a disability — whether it is an injury or an illness — can be absolutely devastating. If you have wondered about your eligibility for disability benefits through the SSA, now is a perfect time to talk with a lawyer who handles disability benefits claims for people throughout the country. In the meantime, we can tell you more about situations in which an individual can receive SSDI and SSI benefits at the same time.

Meeting the Required Definition of a Disability for SSDI and SSI 

While SSDI and SSI are completely separate from one another and have their own requirements, they both do require a recipient to meet the SSA’s definition of a disability. In order to have a disability — and thus to be eligible for SSDI and/or SSI — the Social Security Administration requires you to have medical evidence that shows you have a disabling condition that is expected to last for at least one year or to result in your death, and that condition must be severe enough that it prevents you from engaging in any kind of substantial gainful activity (SGA).

Meeting Requirements for Both SSDI and SSI

If you are wondering about your eligibility for both SSDI and SSI benefits, the first step is to determine if you have a disability (discussed above) according to the SSA. Then, you will need to look at specific eligibility requirements for SSDI and SSI benefits separately. In short, to be able to receive both SSDI and SSI, you will need:

• To have worked for enough hours for enough years, and recently enough, to have sufficient work “credits” to qualify for SSDI; and
• To have limited resources according to the SSA.

To be clear, SSDI is not based on your current assets or resources, which means you can be eligible for SSDI benefits even if you own significant assets and earned high wages while you were working. At the same time, many people who qualify for SSDI based on their work history — meaning the amount and length of time of the work, not the income bracket — do have limited assets, which means they also could qualify for SSI in addition to SSDI payments.

Contact a National Social Security Disability Benefits Attorney Today

If you are dealing with a debilitating injury or illness, you could be eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits or Supplemental Security Income benefits that could provide you with the income you need to reduce your stress and improve your own well-being. Both SSDI and SSI benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration, and disabled adults can be eligible for one or both types of benefits, depending upon their individual circumstances. Contact one of the experienced national SSDI benefits attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Barszcz today to find out more about your eligibility for SSDI and SSI benefits.

Source:

ssa.gov/benefits/disability/