SSDI and SSI disability benefits
Social Security pays two kinds of disability benefits. SSDI is for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes; SSI is for people with limited income and resources. Both require a medical condition that stops you from working for at least 12 months. A disability lawyer helps you build the medical evidence, meet deadlines and appeal if you are denied, and is paid only if you win.
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SSDI and SSI compared
| Topic | SSDI | SSI |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Social Security Disability Insurance | Supplemental Security Income |
| Who it’s for | Workers who paid Social Security taxes long enough (and recently enough) to earn work credits | Disabled, blind or 65+ people with limited income and resources, whether or not they worked |
| Paid for by | Social Security payroll taxes | General U.S. Treasury funds |
| Monthly amount | Based on your lifetime earnings | Up to $994 for one person, $1,491 for a couple, reduced by other income |
| Savings limit | None | $2,000 for one person, $3,000 for a couple (your home and one car usually don’t count) |
| Health coverage | Medicare, after 24 months of SSDI entitlement | Medicaid; in Florida it generally comes with SSI |
| Waiting period | 5 full months from the date your disability began | None; payments can start the month after you apply |
Who qualifies as disabled?
For adults, both programs use the same strict definition: you can’t do substantial work because of a physical or mental condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months or to result in death. Social Security doesn’t pay for short-term or partial disability. It decides using a five-step process.
Why claims get denied
Most denials come down to evidence. Common reasons include:
- Medical records that don’t describe how your condition limits what you can do
- Gaps in treatment, or no recent visits with a treating doctor
- Forms with missing or inconsistent answers
- Earnings above the monthly limit
- Missed appointments or deadlines
How a disability lawyer helps
To win, you have to prove the condition that keeps you from working. Mike helps you:
- Gather complete medical records and the right opinion from your treating doctor
- Fill out Social Security’s forms accurately and consistently
- Meet every appeal deadline
- Prepare you for, and represent you at, a hearing before an administrative law judge
- Take your case to federal court if needed; Mike is admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Florida and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
What it costs
There’s no up-front fee. If you win, Social Security approves the fee and pays it directly from your past-due benefits: 25% of the back pay, up to $9,200. If there’s no back pay or you don’t win, you owe no attorney fee. Ask about case costs, such as fees for copies of medical records, during your free consultation.
What to have ready when you call
- Your medical conditions and when they started keeping you from work
- Names of your doctors, clinics and hospitals, and roughly when you saw them
- Your work history for the last 15 years
- Any letters from Social Security, especially a denial letter and its date
Talk with Mike about your claim
Free, confidential phone consultation. No fee unless you win.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough to earn work credits; the payment is based on your earnings record. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for disabled, blind or older (65+) people with limited income and resources, whether or not they have worked. Some people qualify for both. The medical definition of disability is the same for adults in both programs.
Can I get SSDI and SSI at the same time?
Yes. If your SSDI payment is low and you have limited income and resources, SSI can add to it. This is often called a concurrent claim.
Can I work and still get disability benefits?
Only a limited amount. In 2026, earning more than $1,690 a month ($2,830 if you are blind) is generally treated as substantial work, and Social Security will usually find you are not disabled. Different rules apply once you are already receiving benefits.
What does a disability lawyer cost?
Nothing up front. Our fee is paid only if you win and are awarded past-due (back) benefits. Social Security sets and approves the fee: under a standard fee agreement it is 25% of your past-due benefits, capped at $9,200 (the cap since November 30, 2024). If you don't win, you owe no attorney fee. Ask about case costs, such as fees for copies of medical records, during your free consultation.
How long do I have to appeal a Social Security disability denial?
Generally 60 days from the date you receive the denial letter. Social Security assumes you received it 5 days after the date printed on it, so in practice you have about 65 days from the letter date. Missing the deadline usually means starting over with a new application, which can cost you months of back pay.