SSI vs. SSDI: What's the Difference?
Direct answer: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are both administered by the Social Security Administration but work very differently under the hood.
SSI is a needs-based program for people with limited income and assets, funded by general tax revenue rather than payroll taxes — it doesn't require a specific work history, but it does have strict asset limits.
SSDI, by contrast, is an insurance benefit funded through payroll (FICA) taxes, so eligibility depends on having accumulated enough qualifying work credits before becoming disabled — it does not have an asset test.
It's possible to qualify for both simultaneously in some cases (sometimes called 'concurrent benefits'), typically when someone has a limited work history and a low SSDI payment amount that still leaves them under the SSI income threshold.
Try the Benefit Trim Score to see your own estimated eligibility across 20 programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a work history for SSI?
No — SSI is needs-based and doesn't require work credits, but it does have strict income and asset limits.
Does SSDI have an asset test?
No — SSDI eligibility is based on work credits and disability status, not assets, since it functions like an insurance benefit.
Can I receive both SSI and SSDI?
Yes, in some cases, particularly when SSDI payments are low enough that a recipient still falls under SSI's income threshold.