When you can’t work because of a serious health problem, life gets hard fast. Bills don’t stop coming. Your family still needs support. That’s where Social Security disability benefits come in. These programs help people who can’t work because of a medical condition. But understanding these benefits can feel confusing. This guide breaks it down in simple terms so you know what help is available and how to get it.
If you need help applying for disability benefits, we offer free consultations. Call us today to talk about your situation.
The Two Types of Social Security Disability Benefits
Social Security runs two different disability programs. They’re called SSDI and SSI. Both programs help people with disabilities, but they work differently. The main difference is simple: SSDI is insurance you paid for through your job. SSI is help based on your financial need. Both programs require you to have a medical condition that stops you from working. In some cases it is possible to qualify for both SSDI and SSI.
What is SSDI? (Social Security Disability Insurance)
SSDI stands for Social Security Disability Insurance. Think of it like car insurance or home insurance. While you worked, a small part of every paycheck went to Social Security. This money paid for your disability insurance. If you can’t work now because of a health problem, SSDI helps replace your lost income.
To get SSDI, you need something called “work credits.” You earn these credits by working and paying taxes. The amount you receive each month depends on how much you earned while you were working. Most people who get SSDI receive between $1,000 and $2,500 per month.
Learn everything you can about SSDI, including how many work credits you need and when benefits start.
What is SSI? (Supplemental Security Income)
SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. SSI is different from SSDI. You don’t need work credits to get SSI. Instead, SSI helps people with disabilities who have very little income and few resources.
SSI is for people who either never worked or didn’t work long enough to earn SSDI. It’s also for people who get SSDI but the amount is very small. To qualify for SSI, you can’t have much money in the bank or own expensive property. In 2026, SSI pays up to $994 per month.
Find out if you qualify for SSI and learn about the SSI income and resource limits.
How Do You Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits?
Both SSDI and SSI require you to have a serious medical condition. Your condition must be bad enough that you can’t do your old job. It also has to stop you from doing any other kind of work. The disability must last at least 12 months or be expected to result in death.
SSA looks at several things when deciding if you qualify for Social Security disability benefits:
- How bad is your medical condition?
- Can you do your old job anymore?
- Can you do any other kind of work?
- How old are you?
- What’s your work history?
Age and work history matter more than many people realize. Social Security has different rules for older workers.
Read more to see who qualifies for disability benefits and what Social Security looks for in applications.
How Much Money Will You Receive?
The amount of Social Security disability benefits you get depends on which program you qualify for.
SSDI amount This changes from person to person. The amount depends on how much you earned during your working years. The average SSDI payment in 2024 was about $1,537 per month. Some people may get as little as $100 per month. Others get as much as $4,152 per month in 2026. Social Security increases these amounts slightly each year to help with rising costs.
SSI amount The base amount is the same for everyone. In 2026, the maximum federal SSI payment is $994 per month for one person. Some states add extra money on top of this amount. If you’re married, the payment might be different.
The Application Process Overview
You can apply for disability benefits in three ways:
- Online at the Social Security website
- By calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213
- In person at your local Social Security office after making an appointment
When you apply, you’ll need lots of information ready. This includes your medical records, your work history, and information about your doctors. The whole process takes time. Most people wait three to six months for an initial decision.
Here’s something important to know: Social Security denies most applications the first time. About 67% of people get denied at first. This doesn’t mean you don’t deserve benefits. It often means your application needs more medical evidence or better explanations of how your condition affects you.
Don’t let a denial stop you. You have the right to appeal. Many people who get denied at first win their benefits after an appeal.
Can You Work While Getting Disability?
This is a tricky question. The basic answer is: it depends.
Social Security has a rule about something called “substantial gainful activity” or SGA. If you earn more than the SGA limit, Social Security will likely day you’re no longer disabled. In 2026, the SGA limit is $1,690 per month for most people.
But the rules are different for SSDI and SSI:
SSDI gives you something called a “trial work period.” This lets you test going back to work for nine months without losing Social Security disability benefits. You can earn any amount during these nine months. After the trial work period ends, you can still work as long as you not capable of earning more than the SGA limit.
SSI has stricter rules about working and does not have a trial work period. Any money you earn affects your SSI payment. The more you earn, the less SSI you get. But you won’t lose all your SSI until you earn quite a bit.
The most important thing to remember about working while receiving Social Security disability benefits is that SSA is concerned with what you are capable of doing, not just what you are actually doing.
When Should You Apply?
Apply for Social Security disability benefits as soon as you stop working because of your medical condition. Don’t wait until you’re broke or desperate. Here’s why timing matters:
First, the process takes a long time. You might wait months or even years to get benefits. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can start getting help.
Second, there are time limits for SSDI. You need to have worked recently enough. If you wait too long after stopping work, you might make it much harder to qualify for SSDI.
Third, you can get back pay. If Social Security approves your claim, they can pay you benefits going back to when you became disabled. But there are limits to how far back they’ll pay.
Why You Need an Experienced Disability Lawyer
The numbers don’t lie. People who have lawyers win disability cases more often than people who don’t.
- Only 33% of people who apply alone get approved
- About 60% of people with lawyers win their cases at hearings
We’ve been helping people win disability benefits for over 25 years. We know what Social Security looks for. We know how to gather the right medical evidence. We know how to explain to judges why you can’t work.
The best part? You don’t pay us anything upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. Our fee comes out of your back pay, and it’s limited by federal law to 25% of your back pay or the limit set by statute ($9200 in 2025), whichever is less.
When you hire us, we:
- Help gather all your medical records
- Work to get statements from your doctors
- Help you fill out all the paperwork correctly
- Represent you at your hearing
- Fight for every dollar you deserve
Take the Next Step
Social Security disability benefits can help you get through a tough time. Whether you qualify for SSDI, SSI, or both, these programs provide financial support when you can’t work because of a medical condition.
Don’t wait to get help. The sooner you start the process, the sooner you can get the benefits you need and deserve.
Call us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and help you understand your options. There’s no risk and no upfront cost. Let us fight for the benefits you’ve earned.
