If You Receive Both SSDI and SSI
 

 

If your SSDI check is less than the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) of $564, then SSI will supplement your SSDI check so that you receive the current FBR each month. For example, if your SSDI monthly benefit is $480, SSI will supplement that amount with an additional $84 to bring your monthly check to the FBR of $564.

Because you qualify for both SSDI and SSI, you will receive both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid will be your primary medical insurance coverage and Medicare will be your secondary medical insurance coverage (covering expenses not covered by your primary insurance).

If you are planning to work, you will need to know the work incentive rules for both SSI and SSDI. Carefully read through the sections on SSDI and SSI.

When you feel comfortable in your understanding of the programs, study the Example of Working on SSI and SSDI and see how it might apply to your situation. It is complicated, so you may want to go through it with your case manager or Social Security representative.

 


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Example of Working on SSI and SSDI
 

 

 


 
Toby had a limited work history and had a low level of FICA deductions from his paycheck. When Toby was determined by Social Security to be disabled, his monthly benefit check was calculated at $440. Because this is below the Federal Benefit Rate of $564 he qualified for a supplemental SSI benefit check of $124 and received both Medicare and Medicaid. After 18 months of receiving disability income, he was doing well and felt able to return to work. He called Social Security to inform them, and he got a job earning $850 per month.

 		 

 


SSDI: $440                                                                                         SSI: $90 _________________________________________________________________
 


Toby begins earning $850

Trial Work Period:

Because this is his first time working while receiving SSDI, he has all nine Trial Work months available. During this period he can earn any amount he wants and still receive his full benefit check of $440.

He began working in January, 1999.

1/99

TRIAL

WORK

PERIOD
SSDI
Gross Earnings
Total Income:


$    440
+  $    850
=  $ 1,290
9/99

Grace Period

10/99

After the nine months, he continued to earn $850. Because this amount is over the SGA level of $810, he received three more checks of $440 (Grace Period) and then his checks stopped.

12/99

Extended Period of Eligibility

In 1/00 he started the Extended Period of Eligibility for the next 36 months. He no longer received his SSDI checks but Medicare and Medicaid continued.

 

      
Toby is earning $850 beginning in 1/99. His countable earnings for SSI are calculated as:
Gross Monthly Income
Minus General Exclusion
Adjusted Income

$850
-      65
= $785

Adjusted Income divided by 2 = $392.50

Since his adjusted allowable income of $392.50 is greater than his supplemental SSI check of  $124, he no longer received an SSI check, but his Medicaid coverage continued.

Here's the tricky part:

In 12/99 when his SSDI check of $440 stopped, Toby switched back to the SSI countable earnings calculation:

Gross Monthly Income
Minus Earned Income and
General Income Exclusion
Adjusted Income

$ 850

- $   85
= $ 765
Countable Income
(Adjusted Income [$765] divided by 2)
2004 Federal Benefit Rate
Minus Countable Income
SSI check begins at this amount


=  $ 382.50
$ 564.00
-   $ 382.50
= $ 181.50

In 1/00, Toby's total monthly income was:

Gross Monthly Income
SSI check
Total Monthly Income

$ 850.00
+ $ 181.50
= $ 1031.50

Both Medicare and  Medicaid continued.

  
 

SSDI______________________________SSI

  

 

  

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