The Social Security Administration (SSA) mainly offers disability benefits through two programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). But how many people receive benefits from either program?
There are significantly more people on SSDI than on SSI. This may be because it is considerably easier to obtain SSDI benefits or because SSDI offers a higher monthly benefit amount. Nonetheless, it is possible to apply for both programs.
Read below to learn more about how many people receive benefits from each program.
Are There More People on SSDI or SSI?
Statistics from the Social Security Administration revealed that over five million people received SSI in February 2023. The February 2023 numbers also showed that 63,324,000 Americans received SSDI benefits during that time.
These statistics reveal that there are significantly more people receiving SSDI than SSI. This discrepancy in the number of beneficiaries may be due to inherent differences between the two programs. For example, SSI is a means-tested program, making it significantly harder to get and easily terminated.
The SSDI program, on the other hand, works like an insurance program that individuals pay for through their payroll taxes. One statistic reveals that 55% of all SSDI applications get approved, in contrast to just 36% of SSI applications.
The Differences Between SSI and SSDI
Should you apply for SSDI or SSI? There are numerous differences between SSDI and SSI, but the three most significant are as follows.
Means-Testing
One primary difference between the two programs is that Supplemental Security Income is means-tested. In order to be eligible for the SSI program, claimants must have a low income and a limited amount of resources. In contrast, SSDI functions more like a premium-based health insurance plan.
If you are employed, it is highly likely that a percentage of your earnings will be deducted from your paycheck and transferred to the Social Security system as part of Social Security taxes.
The amount you have paid into the system contributes to the accumulation of work credits, which are required when applying for SSDI. Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are available to anyone who has paid into the system for at least ten years and who meets the disability requirements, regardless of their current income or assets.
Medicaid/Medicare
The second significant difference between the two programs is that SSI recipients are eligible for Medicare immediately after their application has been approved. Medicaid is a joint federal and state health insurance program that covers nearly all medical costs for those who qualify.
On the other hand, those who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are not eligible for Medicare benefits until two years after they qualify for SSDI benefits.
Medicare is a program that is completely administered by the federal government, and it typically does not offer the same level of coverage as Medicaid does.
The majority of people who are eligible for Medicare will obtain private insurance plans that are referred to as “Medigap” policies. These policies serve to offer coverage that Medicare does not itself provide.
Benefits
Last but not least, the financial benefits obtained through SSI and SSDI are significantly different. The Social Security Administration regularly determines the maximum amount of SSI benefits that recipients are eligible to receive.
Benefits are reduced when individuals have additional sources of income in addition to SSI. On the other hand, SSDI benefits are calculated according to the applicant’s previous earnings.
These aren’t the only differences between Supplemental Security Income and Supplemental Security Disability Insurance, but they should help you decide which program to apply for if you’re in need of financial assistance.
Is it Possible to Get SSDI and SSI At the Same Time?
While the majority of applicants would only look into one of the two programs, you could qualify for both Supplemental Security Income and Supplemental Security Disability Insurance under certain conditions. When a person obtains both, the benefits they receive are referred to as “concurrent benefits.”
If you are eligible for both SSDI and SSI, you should be aware that your SSDI benefits will be reduced compared to what you would receive without SSI.
Your SSDI benefits may also be reduced due to several other reasons. You might not have worked in the last ten years, or you might have worked minimally during that period.
You might also have become disabled at an early age, which would have restricted the amount of job experience you were able to gather, or you might have received wages that were relatively low throughout your career history.
It is possible to be eligible for both SSDI and SSI whenever your SSDI payment falls below a specific threshold.
If you have been granted SSDI but are also within the required waiting time of five months, you are eligible to apply for Supplemental Security Income. You will not get SSDI benefits during the waiting period.
While you wait for your SSDI income, SSI can help supplement that and still cover your daily needs. Additionally, this helps those with disabilities because it grants them eligibility for Medicaid.
Which One Pays More: SSI or SSDI?
Generally speaking, SSDI gives out more money than SSI. According to 2023 data:
- On average, SSDI beneficiaries receive $1,489 monthly.
- On average, SSI beneficiaries receive $554 monthly.
SSDI can provide considerably higher benefits to people with disabilities than SSI. There will be some individuals who are qualified to get benefits from both programs. In addition, there are some states that will provide SSI recipients with some additional benefits.
In 2023, the maximum amount an individual can receive in SSI payments is $943 monthly, whereas applicants who have a qualifying spouse can receive up to $1,175 monthly. Both amounts are still lower than the average amount payable by SSDI.
The monthly maximum federal amounts for SSI in 2024 are $943 for an eligible individual, $1,415 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $472 for an essential person.
Conclusion
So, while there are significant differences between SSI and SSDI, both programs serve as a financial lifeline for many disabled individuals across the United States. If you want to find out which one you qualify for, make sure to compare the two thoroughly and ensure you meet the requirements when applying.
