Most older adults know about Retirement Benefits from the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). But there are far more Social Security Benefits besides Social Security Retirement Benefits, including Social Security Income and Disability, that may help eligible individuals access the financial assistance they need to thrive.
About Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
What it is: SSI recipients are low-income individuals or couples (either older adults or those living with disabilities) that receive financial assistance in the form of monthly payments.
Also called:
- SSI Benefits
Eligibility requirements:
- No/limited income (often around $2,019 or less)
- No/limited resources (assets or savings), usually $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for qualifying couples, with an extra $2,000 added for parents applying for an eligible child
- Qualifying disability and/or age (65+)
Benefit amount:
How Do I Apply For SSI Benefits for Age 65+?
For more information about applying for SSI benefits, please visit https://www.ssa.gov/apply/ssi.
When to Apply
Interested individuals should call the Social Security Office to set up an appointment during regular business hours (8 AM to 7 PM) between Monday and Friday.
Where to Apply
Interested individuals need to call +1 800-772-1213 (TTY +1 800-325-0778) to set up either an in-person or by-phone appointment to begin the application process.
What’s Needed
Information the Social Security Office requests can include:
- Personal information like a Social Security number
- Proof of income and assets
- Any information about current or previous marriages
- Direct deposit information for SSI payments
How to Appeal a Supplemental Security Income Denial
According to the SSA, there are four primary ways to appeal a denial:
- Request an appeal online or by phone (+1 800-772-1213, TTY +1 800-325-0778)
- Request a hearing with a judge
- Request a review of the judge’s hearing
- File with the U.S. District Court
About Social Security Disability (SSDI) Benefits
What it is: Social Security Disability can provide monthly benefit payments, along with Medicare health insurance, to people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and their full retirement age (66 or 67).
Also called:
- Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits
- SSDI Benefits
- Social Security Disability Benefits
- Disability Benefits
Eligibility requirements:
- Qualifying disability
- Enough work history
- Job that paid Social Security taxes
Benefit amount:
- SSDI payments have no cap and vary based on factors like needs, cost of living adjustments (COLA), work credits, and earnings history
How Do I Apply For SSDI Benefits?
For more information about SSDI Benefits, please visit https://www.ssa.gov/disability.
When to Apply
Disabled workers whose ability to work is severely impacted by blindness or another qualifying disability should apply as soon as possible, as there is a waiting period between applying, getting accepted, and receiving benefits. This period may extend if the Social Security Office denies the initial application, spurring the appeals process.
Where to Apply
Individuals can submit an SSDI application online. They may also call +1 800-772-1213 (TTY +1 800-325-0778) to request an in-person or by-phone appointment to start the application process.
What’s Needed
An SSDI application should include:
- Basic applicant information like name and age
- Information about the impairment
- Earnings history, along with other information about the past 5 years of work
- Information about any current or former marriages
- Information about dependent children
- Direct deposit information for SSDI payments
How to Appeal a Social Security Disability Insurance Denial
The process for appealing an SSDI denial is the same as for appealing an SSI denial (see under How to Appeal a Supplemental Security Income Denial above).
What Counts as a Disability?
For adults, the SSA‘s definition of disability is someone who cannot “engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of a medically determinable physical or mental disability(ies),” with these disabilities being terminal or lasting (or expecting to) “last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.”
How Many People Under Age 65 Receive Income from Social Security Disability Programs?
According to the SSA, as of August 2025, the number of people under 65 who were disabled and receiving Benefits was over 11 million.
What are the Eligibility Requirements for Social Security Disability Benefits Compared to Regular Social Security?
Regular Social Security Benefits, or Retirement Benefits, are for those who have an eligible job history and have reached their full retirement age. Social Security Disability Benefits are for those who have an eligible job history and have not reached their full retirement age.
Is There a Difference Between Social Security Income and Social Security Disability?
While Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability are both programs offered through the Social Security Office, they are two distinct programs.
The Disability program is for people between 18 and their full retirement age (66 or 67) who have a qualifying impairment along with an eligible work history; Disability Benefits cannot be paired with Retirement Benefits.
The SSI program is for low-income individuals and couples who are at least 65 years of age and/or who have an eligible disability; SSI Benefits can be paired with Retirement Benefits.
Can You Collect Both Social Security and Disability?
You cannot get Social Security Retirement Benefits and Social Security Disability Benefits at the same time. When someone reaches their full retirement age, their Social Security Disability Benefits transition into Social Security Retirement Benefits.
You can get Supplement Security Income and Disability Benefits at the same time, however, depending on factors like age, work history, and countable income.
How are SSDI and SSI Benefits Calculated?
The formula for calculating SSI payments is as follows: Maximum federal benefit rate – Countable income = SSI Benefits.
Calculating SSDI is less straightforward and entails:
- Determining lifetime AIME (average indexed monthly earnings), based on highest earnings over a 35-year period.
- Calculating AIME/number of months worked (up to 420).
- Determining PIA (primary insurance amount), which involves applying various percentages to AIME; this formula can change on an annual basis.
- Adjusting for when someone became disabled into their eligible job history.
- Determining any future adjustments, such as a COLA (cost of living adjustment) update.
What are the Eligibility Requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance Versus Supplement Security Income?
Social Security Income vs Disability eligibility requirements largely vary based on a few factors, such as age, income, and work history.
- Age: There is no upper age requirement for SSI; low-income older adults (65+) and low-income people living with disabilities under the age of 65 are eligible for SSI Benefits. There is an upper age requirement for SSDI (18 to full retirement age), with people aging out of SSDI and transitioning to Social Security Retirement Benefits.
- Income: The SSI program has a countable monthly income cap of $967 for one person and $1,450 for couples. SSDI’s monthly earnings limit, SGA (substantial gainful activity), is capped at $1,620/month for disabled individuals who are not blind and $2,700/month for those who are blind.
- Work history: There is no job history requirement for SSI, but there is for SSDI.
Disclaimer: Each person’s situation is unique. This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. It does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition or a Social Security Disability lawyer for questions about insurance eligibility.