How Much Does SSI and SSDI Pay Together? (Updated for 2024)

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Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are the two major types of disability benefits the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers. Typically, a person will only qualify for one form of Social Security benefits. However, there are instances when an individual qualifies for both SSI and SSDI.

Further Reading: What Conditions Qualify For Disability?

Perhaps you meet the criteria to qualify for both, or you believe you do. You may be wondering how much SSI and SSDI pay together if so. The following overview should answer your questions on this subject.

How Much Can You Get From SSI and SSDI?

As of 2024, SSI benefits pay a maximum of $943 per month, while SSDI pays a maximum of $1,550 per month.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that if you qualify for both you may receive up to $2,493 in Social Security benefits (the sum of the SSI and SSDI maximum) on a monthly basis. This is partially due to the fact that your income is a significant factor affecting how much money you may receive from SSI benefits. Thus, if you’re already collecting money from SSDI, the amount you collect from SSI likely won’t be the maximum.

Further Reading: What Is SSI?

Will I Get Back Pay For Both SSI and SSDI?

The process of applying for Social Security disability benefits and receiving an eventual approval can be a long one. Often, months (or even years) pass between the time an applicant files a claim and the time the SSA approves their claim.

Thus, when the SSA does decide to award benefits, an applicant will also be eligible to receive back pay. This payment’s purpose is to cover the period of time between when a recipient became eligible for benefits and when the SSA approved their claim.

Various factors can affect back pay. Examples include:

  • When an applicant became disabled
  • When an applicant filed a claim
  • When the SSA issued its approval

Generally, though, a person may receive back pay for both SSI and SSDI.

What is SSI and SSDI?

SSI offers financial assistance to individuals who are:

  • Disabled
  • Blind
  • Over the age of 65

The SSA offers SSI to those of limited means. A person’s work history doesn’t influence their eligibility for SSI.

That’s not the case with SSDI. To qualify for SSDI, a disabled individual must have paid into the Social Security system. As such, they need to have worked before. The number of “work credits” a person has earned will impact their eligibility for SSDI.

Get Help With Your Disability Claim

Be aware that demonstrating you are eligible to receive any form of Social Security benefits is often a complex task requiring you to gather evidence of your disability, complete paperwork, and more. This task may be even more challenging if you wish to show you are eligible to receive SSI and SSDI.

This isn’t meant to discourage you from seeking benefits. Instead, it’s meant to encourage you to seek assistance from a legal professional. The expertise of a disability lawyer could help you navigate the process with greater confidence. To learn more, take the Free Case Evaluation on this page to get connected and speak with a disability attorney who can help today—at zero cost to you.

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