Many Americans count on disability benefits when health problems prevent them from working. In 2026, the two main programs Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) will continue to play a vital role. While both are run by the Social Security Administration (SSA), they serve different groups and follow different rules. If you’re not sure which program you qualify for, how much money you could get, or how your work history affects benefits, here’s a breakdown in plain language.
What SSDI Is and Who Can Get It
SSDI is for people who have worked and paid into Social Security but can no longer work because of a serious disability. To qualify, you generally need around 40 work credits, which equals about 10 years of work, although younger workers may be eligible with fewer credits. To be approved in 2026, you must have a disability that lasts at least 12 months or is expected to lead to death, and you must be under retirement age. Unlike SSI, your income or savings do not disqualify you. Another important feature is that after two years of receiving SSDI, you automatically qualify for Medicare.
What SSI Is and How It Works
SSI works differently. It is a needs-based program designed for people who are older, blind, or disabled and who have very limited income and resources. Your past work history is not considered for SSI eligibility. To qualify in 2026, your resources such as cash or bank savings must usually be below $2,000 if you are single or $3,000 if you are married. SSI is funded through federal tax dollars, not through Social Security payroll taxes. In most states, receiving SSI also makes you eligible for Medicaid, which provides crucial health coverage.
How Much Money You Could Get in 2026
The payments for SSI and SSDI are not the same, and each program calculates benefits differently. For SSI, the federal monthly payments in 2026 are expected to be about $943 for individuals and $1,415 for couples. Some states add extra money on top of these federal amounts, which means the actual payment could be higher depending on where you live.
For SSDI, the payments depend on your past earnings and how much you paid into Social Security while working. In 2025, the average monthly SSDI payment was about $1,537, with a maximum benefit of more than $4,000. With cost-of-living adjustments expected in 2026, the average SSDI benefit is projected to increase slightly, reaching around $1,580 to $1,625 per month.
The Main Differences Between SSI and SSDI
The most important difference between the two programs is that SSDI is based on work history, while SSI is based only on financial need. SSDI is funded through payroll taxes that workers pay throughout their careers, while SSI is funded through federal tax revenues. SSDI benefit amounts vary according to your previous earnings, while SSI pays a set federal rate with possible state supplements. SSDI recipients qualify for Medicare after two years, whereas SSI recipients usually receive Medicaid coverage right away.
Can You Get Both at the Same Time?
It is possible to qualify for both SSI and SSDI, a situation known as concurrent benefits. This often happens when someone has worked and earned enough to receive SSDI but their payment is too low to cover basic living costs. In that case, SSI may be added to bring their income up to the minimum federal level. However, SSDI benefits are counted as income when calculating SSI, so receiving both usually reduces the SSI portion.
In 2026, SSI and SSDI remain two important but very different safety nets. SSDI supports people who have worked and paid into Social Security but are now unable to work due to disability, while SSI helps those with very limited income who are elderly, blind, or disabled. Both programs are expected to see modest payment increases tied to cost-of-living adjustments.
For the most accurate and current information, it is always best to check directly with the Social Security Administration. Understanding the differences now can help you know which program applies to you or whether you might qualify for both.