The main difference between Social Security (retirement or SSDI benefits) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is that you must have paid taxes to get retirement or SSDI, but it is not necessary for SSI. What is more, there is a necessary number of work credits to qualify for retirement or SSDI benefits. But not for Supplemental Security Income.
Bear in mind that to get Social Security retirement benefits you must be at least 62 years old. For Social Security Disability Insurance you may need fewer work credits due to a qualifying condition that prevents you from working for over a year.
Who are SSI benefits for?
Supplemental Security Income can be for both adults and children who qualify. If your child has a qualifying disability, he or she may receive these monthly benefit payments.
Adults can receive money from the Supplemental Security Income program if they:
- are at least 65 years old
- are blind
- have a qualifying disability
Do not forget that Social Security benefit payments are funded by the taxes current workers are paying every month. However, the SSI program is federally funded.
Are SSI and Social Security amounts the same?
Maximum payment amounts for Supplemental Security Income or Social Security are not the same. In fact, retirees can receive the largest benefit payments from Social Security since they can get up to $4,873 in 2024 and $5,108 in 2025 after the COLA increase.
Supplemental Security Income recipients can get a monthly payment of up to $943 (individuals) or up to $1,415 (eligible married couples). SSI payments are a supplement for low-income Americans. Average payments are $1,927 for retirees and $697 for Supplemental Security Income. So, SSI is much lower.
While Social Security sends payments to those who paid enough taxes to SSA. Therefore, some workers can receive both Supplemental Security Income and Social Security if their monthly payment from the Agency is too low.