SSI vs SSDI (2025): Which Pays More for You?

Which check is bigger—SSI or SSDI?

It depends on your work history, assets, and living situation. In 2025, SSI tops out at $967/mo for an individual (before state add-ons), while the average SSDI disabled-worker benefit is about $1,582/mo—often higher than SSI, but only if you’ve earned enough work credits. We’ll break down who qualifies, how amounts are calculated, and real-life scenarios to show which program pays more for your situation. (Social Security)

SSI vs SSDI at a glance

(Social Security)

Who qualifies (fast)

• SSI: You must have low income and limited resources (generally ≤ $2,000 individual / $3,000 couple), and be 65+, blind, or meet SSA’s disability standard. Some income/resources are excluded (e.g., first $20 general, first $65 of wages + half, certain ABLE funds up to $100,000, PASS funds). (Social Security)
• SSDI: You must be insured (enough work credits, usually 20 credits in last 10 years for adults; fewer for younger workers) and meet the disability standard. (Social Security)

How benefits are calculated

SSI: starts at FBR, then subtract countable income

• Federal Benefit Rate (2025): $967 (individual), $1,450 (couple). Many states add a state supplement, which can lift the check above the FBR. (Social Security)
• Income counting basics: SSA ignores $20 of most income, $65 of earned income plus half of the rest; special student exclusion up to $2,350/mo (cap $9,460/yr) in 2025. Every $1 of countable income reduces SSI $1. (Social Security)

Example: You earn $385 from part-time work. Exclude $20 + $65 ⇒ $300 left; count ½ = $150. Your SSI ~ $967 − $150 = $817 (before any state add-on). (Social Security)

SSDI: based on your lifetime earnings

• SSA computes AIME/PIA from your covered earnings; higher past earnings → higher SSDI. The average disabled-worker payment is about $1,582/mo (June 2025). (Social Security)

2025 work limits & incentives (quick guide)

• SSDI:
  • Trial Work Period (TWP): Any month you earn >$1,160 counts; you get 9 TWP months (not necessarily consecutive). (Social Security)
  • After TWP: If you earn ≥ SGA ($1,620 non-blind; $2,700 blind), benefits may stop, with safety nets like the 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility. (Social Security)
• SSI: Wages reduce the check via the formula above; student earned-income exclusion can shield $2,350/mo up to $9,460/yr (2025). (Social Security)

Health coverage differences (big deal for many)

• SSI → Medicaid: In most states (called “1634 states”), SSI eligibility triggers Medicaid automatically; in others, you must apply separately under state rules. (secure.ssa.gov)
• SSDI → Medicare: You’re eligible for Medicare after 24 months of SSDI entitlement. ALS: the 5-month SSDI waiting period is waived, and Medicare’s 24-month wait is waived too. (Social Security, secure.ssa.gov)

Can you get both SSI & SSDI? (Yes: concurrent benefits)

If your SSDI amount is low (below the SSI payment standard) and you meet SSI’s income/resource rules, SSI can “top you up” to the SSI level (plus any state supplement). SSA calls this concurrent benefits. (Social Security, USAGov)

Example: Your SSDI is $700. If you otherwise qualify for SSI, federal SSI can add up to $267 to reach $967 (plus any state supplement). (Social Security)

Which one pays more for your situation?

1) Long work history, moderate-to-higher wages

You’re likely to get SSDI well above SSI’s $967 cap (federal), so SSDI pays more. You’ll wait for Medicare, but may qualify for marketplace/Medicaid in the meantime depending on income. (Social Security)

2) Very limited work history / low lifetime earnings

You may not be insured for SSDI—or your SSDI might be small. SSI could pay more (and bring Medicaid). In some states, supplements can lift SSI above your potential SSDI. (Social Security)

3) Low SSDI + low resources

You can receive both: SSDI plus SSI top-up to the SSI standard. This often yields the highest total for very low earners who are insured for SSDI but receive a small SSDI check. (Social Security)

4) Married or living with a spouse who works (SSI “deeming”)

SSI can shrink or disappear when a spouse’s income/resources are “deemed” to you; SSDI has no asset test and doesn’t use deeming—so SSDI may pay more in a married household. (vcu-ntdc.org, Social Security)

5) Students under 22 with wages

SSI’s student exclusion can preserve more of the check—even if you work. SSDI is unchanged (it’s not needs-based). Depending on wages, SSI + exclusion may pay competitively. (Social Security)

State supplements: when SSI beats a small SSDI

A dozen states (federally administered) plus many state-administered programs add state supplements to SSI. In those places, SSI + state add-on can exceed a small SSDI by $100–$300+ a month. Check your state’s rules. (Social Security, Atticus)

Back pay and timing: how fast you’ll see money

• SSDI: May pay up to 12 months retroactively before you applied if you were disabled then (subject to the 5-month waiting period). (Social Security)
• SSI: Payments start the first full month after you apply (no retro before application). (Social Security)

Resource planning tips (SSI)

• Keep countable resources under $2,000/$3,000 (many items don’t count, like your home, one car in many cases, and ABLE funds up to $100,000). (Social Security)
• If eligible, use an ABLE account to save for qualified expenses without losing SSI—and even if SSI is suspended when ABLE exceeds $100k, Medicaid continues. (ABLE National Resource Center)

Step-by-step: decide your best path

1. Check work credits (SSDI insured status) and create my Social Security to see your record. (Social Security)
2. Estimate amounts: If your SSDI estimate is > $967, SSDI will typically pay more than SSI federal-only. Consider state supplement potential if close. (Social Security)
3. Mind the rules: If you have assets above SSI limits, consider SSDI (no asset test) or spend-down/ABLE planning before applying for SSI. (Social Security)
4. Concurrent check: If your SSDI is below $967, ask SSA whether you qualify for SSI top-up (subject to resources). (Social Security)
5. Health coverage: Need coverage now? SSI often unlocks Medicaid immediately in many states; SSDI brings Medicare after 24 months (ALS exceptions). (secure.ssa.gov)

Pros & cons summary

SSDI — Pros

• Typically higher than SSI for insured workers with moderate/high earnings.
• No asset test; spouse’s income not deemed.
• Path to Medicare (and work incentives like TWP/EPE). (Social Security)

SSDI — Cons

• Must have enough work credits; 5-month waiting period (except ALS). (Social Security)

SSI — Pros

• Available without work history; often fast path to Medicaid.
• Exclusions (earned-income, student, ABLE) help you keep more. (Social Security)

SSI — Cons

• Strict income/resource limits and spousal deeming.
• Federal max $967 (plus state supplement if any). (Social Security)

Summary takeaways

• Most workers with solid earnings histories will see SSDI pay more than SSI’s $967—2015 average disabled-worker check ≈ $1,582 (mid-2025). (Social Security)
• SSI can pay more for people with little/no work history, and SSI + state supplements may beat a small SSDI. (Social Security)
• You may qualify for both—SSDI plus SSI top-up—if your SSDI is below the SSI standard and you meet resource rules. (Social Security)

FAQs

1) Which pays more in 2025—SSI or SSDI?
Usually SSDI, because it’s based on your earnings history (average disabled worker ≈ $1,582/mo), while SSI maxes at $967 federally (before any state supplement). Your situation can differ. (Social Security)

2) Can I get both SSI and SSDI?
Yes—if your SSDI is below the SSI standard and you meet income/resource rules, SSI can top you up (called concurrent benefits). (Social Security)

3) Do assets matter?
For SSI, yes: resource limit $2,000/$3,000 (some exclusions like ABLE up to $100k). SSDI has no asset test. (Social Security)

4) What are the 2025 work limits?
SSDI: TWP month $1,160; SGA $1,620 non-blind / $2,700 blind. SSI: wages reduce payment via the exclusion formula; students can exclude up to $2,350/mo (cap $9,460/yr). (Social Security)

5) Which program gets me health coverage sooner?
SSI → typically Medicaid (automatic in most states). SSDI → Medicare after 24 months (ALS: SSDI 5-mo wait waived; Medicare wait waived). (secure.ssa.gov)

6) Do I get back pay?
SSDI can pay up to 12 months retro with the 5-month waiting period; SSI starts the month after you apply. (Social Security)

Sources:

• SSI amounts & rules: SSA FBR 2025; SSI benefits; SSI income & exclusions; resources & ABLE. (Social Security)
• SSDI thresholds (2025): SGA & TWP; Red Book “What’s New in 2025”. (Social Security)
• Averages: SSA Monthly Statistical Snapshot (June/July 2025). (Social Security)
• Medicaid link for SSI: SSI–Medicaid POMS & SSA Act §1634. (secure.ssa.gov, Social Security)
• ALS exceptions: SSA legislation/regs; POMS for Medicare waiver. (Social Security, Federal Register, secure.ssa.gov)
• Concurrent benefits: SSA Red Book; USA.gov explainer. (Social Security, USAGov)