 SSDRC What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI? If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits? How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition? What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare? How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid? Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability? What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression? Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability Status Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts |
Can I Be Eligible For SSI And Social Security Disability At The Same Time?How to prove you are disabled and win disability benefits Yes, you can be eligible for both SSI and social security disability benefits at the same time. To explain, let's start by stating that the two disability programs that SSA, the Social Security Administration, administers are exclusive of each other. However, although the disability programs are separate and eligibility to one program does not mean you are entitled to the other, there are times when an individual can be entitled to both SSI and Social Security disability simultaneously. Having said that, most disability beneficiaries are only entitled to one disability program at a time. Many Social Security disability beneficiaries are actually eligible for SSI disability benefits for the first five months after the date they became disabled. The reason being: Social Security disability beneficiaries are subject to a five-month waiting period for which Social Security disability benefits are never paid. Since many Social Security disability beneficiaries have no money or resources to speak of by the time they are eligible and approved for Social Security disability (which may not be the case for several years after the initial application as a result of multiple denials and appeals, and, usually, a disability hearing held by a federal judge), they are able to meet the income and resource limits of the SSI disability program for those months. For most Social Security disability beneficiaries, SSI benefits are terminated the month they become entitled to Social Security disability benefits because Social Security disability benefits are generally higher than the SSI monthly benefit amount. Although the vast majority of Social Security disability beneficiaries become ineligible for SSI, some individuals remain eligible for SSI disability even though they are entitled to Social Security disability benefits. This can only happen when a beneficiary’s Social Security disability benefit is lower than the SSI monthly benefit amount. When benefits are received from both the SSD and SSI programs, they are known as concurrent benefits. Keep in mind, of course, that for a person to receive concurrent benefits from both programs, they have to meet the requirements of both programs. This means, for most individuals, having to adhere to the asset requirements of SSI. SSI, since it is based on need, places a limit on countable assets at $2000 per single individual and $3000 for a married couple. Having assets above these limits would invalidate one's eligibility to receive SSI benefits. 
Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page Individual Questions and Answers SSD and SSI are Federal Programs The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here: Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials |