When looking at whether you can get Social Security and disability payments at the same time the first question to answer is what do you mean by Social Security? Because it is possible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at the same time. The Social Security Administration (SSA) calls this receiving “concurrent” benefits.
However, if by Social Security you mean Social Security retirement benefits, the answer is different. You generally cannot receive Social Security retirement and SSDI payments simultaneously on the same earnings record. Once an SSDI recipient reaches full retirement age, their disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits.
The distinction matters because SSI, SSDI and Social Security retirement are three different forms of federal support, with different eligibility requirements and rules governing how much you can receive.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI is part of the Social Security program and is based on a worker’s employment and earnings record. To qualify, you generally need to have worked for long enough, and recently enough, in jobs covered by Social Security.
You must also meet the SSA’s definition of disability. This generally means having a medical condition that prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity and that has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least 12 months or result in death.
There is no requirement that a claimant simply have one of a specific list of medical conditions. The SSA considers the severity of the condition and how it affects the person’s ability to work.
In 2026, the substantial gainful activity limit is generally $1,690 per month for people with disabilities other than blindness and $2,830 for people who are blind.
SSI works differently. It is a needs-based program administered by the SSA and funded through general U.S. Treasury funds rather than Social Security taxes. Adults and children may qualify for SSI if they have little or no income and limited resources and are blind or have a qualifying disability. People aged 65 or older can qualify without having a disability if they meet the program’s other requirements.
Hatice Baran
How much can you receive from SSI in 2026?
The maximum federal SSI payment in 2026 is $994 per month for an eligible individual and $1,491 for an eligible couple.
Those figures are maximum federal payments, rather than simple income limits. The amount a person actually receives can be lower depending on their income, living arrangements and other circumstances. Some states also provide additional SSI supplements.
SSI also has limits on the resources a recipient can own. The limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple, although some assets, including a home in which you live, generally do not count toward those limits.
Can you receive SSDI and SSI at the same time?
Yes. Someone who qualifies for SSDI but receives a relatively low monthly disability benefit may also qualify for SSI. However, SSDI generally counts as unearned income when the SSA calculates eligibility for SSI and the amount of the SSI payment. That means receiving SSDI can reduce your SSI payment. If your countable income is too high, you may no longer qualify for SSI.
This is one reason concurrent benefits are particularly relevant to people whose work histories result in relatively small SSDI payments. Unlike SSI, SSDI is not means-tested. Savings and investments do not by themselves disqualify someone from receiving SSDI. However, working and earning above certain levels can affect disability benefits.
Can you receive Social Security retirement and SSDI at the same time?
In general you cannot receive Social Security retirement and SSDI at the same time. The law does not allow someone to receive Social Security retirement and disability benefits simultaneously on the same earnings record.
If you are receiving SSDI when you reach your full retirement age, your disability benefit automatically converts to a Social Security retirement benefit. According to the SSA, the amount generally remains the same.
There are special circumstances in which someone eligible for early retirement benefits may receive retirement payments while waiting for a disability claim to be decided. If the disability claim is subsequently approved, the SSA determines which benefit is payable and makes any necessary adjustments.
What about Social Security retirement and SSI?
It is also possible to receive Social Security retirement benefits and SSI simultaneously. Because SSI is designed for people with limited income and resources, however, Social Security retirement payments count as income when the SSA determines whether someone qualifies and how much SSI they can receive.
A relatively small Social Security retirement benefit may therefore be supplemented by SSI if the person meets all of the program’s other eligibility requirements.
The key is knowing which benefits you are talking about. SSDI and SSI can be received together, as can Social Security retirement and SSI in some circumstances. But Social Security retirement and SSDI generally cannot be collected at the same time on the same earnings record.
How can you check which Social Security benefits you qualify for?
With different rules governing Social Security retirement, SSDI and SSI, eligibility can depend heavily on an individual’s circumstances.
The SSA has an online benefits eligibility questionnaire that takes around 10 minutes and can indicate which benefits a person may be eligible to receive and how to apply.
People who already receive benefits can also sign in to their personal my Social Security account to check their benefit information and obtain a benefit verification letter showing the benefits they receive.
Anyone who remains unsure about their eligibility, particularly if they may qualify for more than one program, can contact the Social Security Administration directly. The SSA can be reached at 1-800-772-1213 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.
Related stories
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.
