It is relatively uncommon that a person will qualify for benefits under both the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program as well as the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. In fact, the vast majority of benefits recipients will qualify for benefits under only one of these programs.
However, that doesn’t mean that this can’t happen. A person may qualify for benefits under both of these programs. The Social Security Disability Insurance program is unique, distinct and separate from the Supplemental Security Income program. Eligibility criteria for both of the programs are different, but in some circumstances, persons may qualify for benefits under both programs.
If, for instance, your income and asset limits are low enough for you to qualify for the Supplemental Security Income Program, and at the same time you have held a job long enough to have paid into the Disability Insurance program, you could possibly qualify for both of the benefits simultaneously. These types of benefits are called “concurrent benefits.”
However, even if you do qualify, that doesn’t mean that you will get double the benefits. There are limits on your benefits, and you may only be eligible for money to a maximum of those that are available under the Supplemental Security Income program.
It can difficult to determine if you qualify for benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance program or the Supplemental Security Income program. This is a good reason to seek the advice of a social security lawyer who is familiar with the system and application processes.