Can I Collect Both Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income?

If the monthly benefit amount you are due is less than $733 and you qualify for Supplemental Security Income, you can file a concurrent claim and collect from both benefit programs

In order to receive both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you first need to qualify for both programs. Your SSDI eligibility is dependent upon your work history, while SSI is dependent upon your assets and resources.

If your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) is less than $733 per month (the set amount for SSI payments) and you meet the requirements regarding income, assets, and resources for SSI, you can file a concurrent claim. The SSI payment will increase your monthly benefit amount to $733.
For example, if your PIA (through SSDI) is $490 per month, you will receive an SSI payment of $243 per month in order to raise your monthly benefit amount to $733.

Benefits of filing a concurrent claim

Medical Support
If you are approved for SSDI, you become eligible to receive Medicare two years after your date of entitlement to benefits. However, if you are approved for SSI, you immediately become eligible for Medicaid. Having access to this support sooner is often beneficial. While Medicaid often covers more, it is less often accepted by medical facilities. If you file a concurrent claim, you can use your Medicaid until your Medicare is approved.

Back payment
If you are approved for SSDI, your alleged onset date can go back as far as 17 months prior to your application date. Due to the 5-month waiting period, you would receive payment for 12 full months prior to your application. However, SSI back payment only goes as far back as your application date. If you file a concurrent claim, you will receive only the SSDI payment for the months prior to filing your application, and then the full $733 from your application date forward. If you had only applied for SSI, you would sacrifice the SSDI back payment amounts for the months you were found to be disabled prior to your application date.

For more information on SSDI and SSI, contact us now! Our Disability Experts are standing by.

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