# Difference Between Ssi and Disability Author: Nex Virox Team (Editorial Team) Reviewed by: Varshal Nirbhavane Published: 2026-09-02 Last updated: 2026-09-02 Canonical: https://nexvirox.com/difference-between/difference-between-ssi-and-disability/ **Quick answer:** The main difference between SSI and Disability is that SSI is a need-based program funded by general taxes, while Disability (SSDI) is an insurance program funded by payroll taxes. SSI is a federal income supplement for aged, blind, or disabled people with limited income and assets, while Disability is a benefit for workers who paid into Social Security and meet strict medical criteria.

Difference Between Ssi and Disability: Comparison Table

Aspect	Ssi	Disability
Definition	SSI is a needs-based program for aged, blind, or disabled people with limited income and assets.	Disability (SSDI) is an insurance program for workers who paid Social Security taxes and become disabled.
Purpose	Provides basic cash to cover food, clothing, and shelter for individuals with minimal financial resources.	Replaces lost wages for insured workers unable to work due to a severe medical condition lasting 12 months.
Core Mechanism	Funded by general Treasury taxes, not payroll contributions; eligibility hinges on financial need, not work history.	Funded by payroll taxes (FICA); eligibility depends on work credits earned through prior employment.
Funding Source	General tax revenues from the U.S. Treasury, not from individual payroll deductions.	Social Security trust funds financed by Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) payroll taxes.
Work Credits	Requires zero work credits; no prior employment or tax payment history is necessary.	Requires 40 work credits (typically 10 years), with 20 earned in the last 10 years before disability.
Income Limit	Countable income limit is $1,971 per month for individuals and $2,915 for couples in 2025.	Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind disabled individuals in 2025.
Asset Limit	Resources capped at $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples, excluding home and one vehicle.	No asset limit; personal savings, property, and investments do not affect SSDI eligibility.
Medical Criteria	Uses the same disability listing as SSDI but applies a separate financial needs test.	Uses the same medical listings but requires proof of insured status and recent work history.
Application Process	Apply at Social Security office; requires detailed financial documentation of income, assets, and living arrangements.	Apply online, by phone, or in person; requires medical records, work history, and employer information.
Processing Time	Initial decisions average 3-5 months; may take longer if financial verification is complex.	Initial decisions average 3-5 months; appeals can extend to 2 years or more.
Payment Amount	Maximum federal benefit is $967 per month for individuals and $1,450 for couples in 2025.	Benefit based on average lifetime earnings; 2025 average monthly payment is about $1,580.
State Supplement	Many states add a supplemental payment (SSP) on top of the federal SSI amount.	No state supplement; federal benefit is uniform regardless of state of residence.
Medicare Access	SSI recipients typically qualify for Medicaid immediately in most states.	SSDI recipients must wait 24 months after onset before Medicare coverage begins.
Medicaid Access	Automatic eligibility in most states; provides comprehensive health coverage without premium.	Not automatic; may qualify separately based on low income, but not tied to SSDI status.
Retirement Age	Benefits convert to regular old-age SSI at full retirement age, but amount may adjust.	SSDI converts to retirement benefits at full retirement age, but amount stays the same.
Dependent Benefits	No dependent benefits; each family member must qualify for SSI on their own.	Spouse, children, or disabled adult children may receive auxiliary benefits up to 50% of your amount.
Back Pay	Back pay starts from the date of application, not from disability onset date.	Back pay covers up to 12 months before application date, after a 5-month waiting period.
Waiting Period	No waiting period; benefits begin the first full month after application approval.	Five-month waiting period required after disability onset before any cash payments begin.
Work Incentives	Earned income exclusion of $65 per month plus $20 general exclusion; gradual benefit reduction.	Trial work period of 9 months; extended eligibility for 36 months after SGA exceeds $1,620.
Ongoing Reviews	Financial redetermination every 1-6 years depending on income stability and age.	Medical continuing disability reviews every 3-7 years depending on severity and improvement potential.
Overpayment Risk	High risk due to monthly income fluctuations; must report all changes within 10 days.	Lower risk; only work activity or medical improvement typically triggers overpayment.
Taxation	SSI payments are not taxable as income at federal or state level.	SSDI benefits may be taxable if combined income exceeds $25,000 (individual) or $32,000 (couple).
Immigration Status	Requires U.S. citizenship or specific qualified alien status with residency requirements.	Requires valid work authorization; non-citizens need 40 credits from authorized work.
Age Requirement	Available to any age group, including children under 18 with qualifying disabilities.	Primarily for adults aged 18-65; children qualify only through parent's work record.
Survivor Benefits	No survivor benefits; payments stop at death with no payment to family members.	Surviving spouse or children may receive up to 75% of your SSDI benefit after death.
Living Arrangement	Receiving free food or shelter reduces SSI payment by up to one-third of the base rate.	Living arrangement does not affect SSDI payment amount at all.
Appeal Rights	Four appeal levels: reconsideration, hearing, appeals council, and federal court.	Same four appeal levels as SSI, but medical and financial issues may be reviewed separately.
Representative Payee	Required if under 18 or legally incompetent; payee manages funds for food and shelter.	Required only if medically unable to manage finances; payee must account for spending.
Annual COLA	Receives annual cost-of-living adjustment, but state supplements may not increase.	Receives annual COLA based on CPI-W; 2025 adjustment is 2.5%.
Best-Fit Scenario	Best for low-income individuals with no work history who need immediate cash and Medicaid.	Best for former workers with sufficient credits who need higher benefits and Medicare after 2 years.

What Is Ssi?

Ssi is a federal program that pays cash to people with limited income and resources who are aged, blind, or disabled. It covers basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter. Ssi exists to provide a financial floor for those who have little else.

Definition of Ssi

Ssi (Supplemental Security Income) is a means-tested benefit administered by the Social Security Administration. It provides monthly payments to adults and children who meet strict income and asset limits and who are blind, disabled, or aged 65 or older. It is funded by general tax revenues, not payroll taxes.

Key Characteristics of Ssi

Characteristic	What It Means in Practice
Means-tested	Your income and assets must fall below strict federal limits to qualify for any payment.
Asset limit	Countable resources cannot exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
Federal benefit rate	The maximum monthly payment is set nationally, and your state may add a small supplement.
No work history	You do not need a record of paying Social Security taxes to receive Ssi.
Age or disability	You must be 65 or older, blind, or have a condition that prevents substantial work.
Citizenship rule	You must be a U.S. citizen or meet specific noncitizen exceptions to receive benefits.
State supplement	Many states add extra money on top of the federal payment, but not all do.
Medical review	Disabled recipients face periodic Continuing Disability Reviews to confirm eligibility.
In-kind support	Free food or shelter from others can reduce your monthly Ssi payment amount.
Medicaid link	In most states, receiving Ssi automatically qualifies you for Medicaid health coverage.

Common Examples of Ssi

Blind adult – a person with legal blindness who has never worked and receives Ssi for daily living costs.
Child with autism – a minor with severe autism whose family income and assets meet the strict limits.
Older immigrant – a lawful resident aged 65+ who lacks enough work credits for retirement benefits.
Disabled veteran – a veteran with a non-service-connected disability who lacks sufficient work history.
Low-wage worker – a worker with a severe back injury who paid little into Social Security before becoming disabled.
Intellectual disability – an adult with an IQ below 70 who cannot perform substantial gainful activity.
Terminal illness – a patient with a terminal condition who qualifies for expedited Ssi processing.
Homeless individual – a person with a mental health condition who has no income and receives Ssi for housing.
Young adult with Down syndrome – a person who turns 18 and is evaluated under adult disability rules for Ssi.
Amputee – a person with a lower-limb amputation that prevents standing or walking for work.

Advantages and Limitations of Ssi

Advantages	Limitations
Provides a guaranteed monthly cash payment for people with no work history.	The federal payment is very low, often below the federal poverty line.
Automatic Medicaid eligibility in most states gives recipients health coverage.	The $2,000 asset limit punishes saving and keeps recipients in poverty.
Children with severe disabilities can receive benefits based on family income.	Strict income rules mean a part-time job can reduce or eliminate your payment.
Applications are free and do not require an attorney to file.	Initial claims are frequently denied, forcing long and stressful appeals.
Benefits continue as long as the disability or financial need persists.	In-kind support from family reduces your check, discouraging shared housing.
Recipients are automatically referred to vocational rehabilitation services.	Continuing Disability Reviews can terminate benefits even if your condition is stable.
Payments are not taxable as income for most recipients.	You cannot own a car above a certain value or keep significant savings.
State supplements raise the payment in higher-cost states.	State supplements vary wildly, creating geographic inequality in benefits.
Expedited processing exists for terminal conditions and military service members.	Processing times for standard claims can stretch beyond six months.
Recipients can work under substantial gainful activity limits without losing everything.	Complex reporting rules for wages and resources cause frequent overpayments.

What Is Disability?

Disability is an umbrella term for long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that hinder full participation in society. It arises from the interaction between health conditions and environmental barriers. Disability shapes daily routines, access to work, and social inclusion. It requires systemic accommodations, not just medical treatment, to enable equal opportunity.

Definition of Disability

Disability is a mismatch between a person's functional capacity and the demands of their physical, social, or attitudinal environment. This interaction creates activity limitations and participation restrictions. Under the World Health Organization's biopsychosocial model, disability is neither purely medical nor purely social; it results from barriers in design, policy, and perception that exclude individuals with impairments.

Key Characteristics of Disability

Characteristic	What It Means in Practice
Heterogeneous spectrum	Disability spans invisible conditions like chronic pain to visible mobility aids, requiring individualized support rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
Context-dependent	A person may be disabled in a stair-only building but fully independent in a ramp-equipped space; environment determines the degree of limitation.
Dynamic state	Conditions fluctuate daily or over years; someone with relapsing-remitting MS may need different accommodations week to week.
Intersectional impact	Disability interacts with age, race, gender, and poverty, compounding disadvantages in housing, healthcare, and employment outcomes.
Not inherently negative	Many disabled individuals report strong identity, community belonging, and adaptive problem-solving skills, challenging deficit-based stereotypes.
Requires accommodation	Reasonable adjustments like screen readers, flexible schedules, or sign language interpreters are legal obligations, not optional kindness.
Prevalence is significant	Roughly 16% of the global population lives with significant disability, making it the world's largest minority group.
Often invisible	Conditions like epilepsy, dyscalculia, or chronic fatigue lack external markers, leading to skepticism, disbelief, and denial of needed support.
Economic disadvantage	Disabled workers face higher unemployment rates and wage gaps; disability-related expenses add financial strain even when employed.
Legal protection exists	The ADA, UN CRPD, and Equality Act provide anti-discrimination rights, but enforcement gaps leave many without accessible environments.

Common Examples of Disability

Spinal cord injury - Paralysis from a T-level injury restricts mobility, often requiring wheelchair access and transfer assistance for daily tasks.
Major depressive disorder - Persistent low mood and anhedonia impair concentration, sleep, and work performance, qualifying as a psychiatric disability.
Age-related macular degeneration - Central vision loss makes reading, facial recognition, and driving impossible without magnification tools or orientation training.
Cerebral palsy - Motor control impairments from brain damage affect gait, speech, and fine motor skills, often requiring physical therapy and assistive devices.
Type 1 diabetes - Insulin dependence creates episodic hypoglycemia that can cause confusion, seizures, or unconsciousness, limiting certain safety-critical jobs.
Autism spectrum disorder - Social communication differences and sensory sensitivities create barriers in noisy, unpredictable workplaces without structured supports.
Rheumatoid arthritis - Chronic joint inflammation causes pain, stiffness, and deformity, limiting grip strength, standing endurance, and typing ability.
Traumatic brain injury - Cognitive deficits in memory, executive function, or emotional regulation disrupt return to previous employment and independent living.
Deafness - Profound hearing loss blocks verbal communication, requiring sign language interpreters, captions, or visual alert systems in meetings.
Intellectual disability (Down syndrome) - Below-average intellectual functioning limits abstract reasoning, reading comprehension, and independent financial management.

Advantages and Limitations of Disability

Advantages	Limitations
Fosters unique problem-solving skills; disabled individuals often devise creative workarounds that benefit entire teams.	Faces persistent ableism; hiring managers frequently underestimate competence despite equal qualifications and proven performance.
Builds resilience and adaptability; managing chronic conditions develops patience, planning, and self-advocacy abilities.	Incurs higher living costs; specialized equipment, medications, and personal care assistance often exceed standard health insurance coverage.
Strengthens community bonds; shared experience creates deep social networks offering practical advice and emotional solidarity.	Confronts environmental barriers; inaccessible buildings, transit systems, and websites exclude participation without costly retrofits.
Provides legal workplace protections; reasonable accommodation mandates can secure flexible hours or ergonomic tools that boost productivity.	Faces medical gatekeeping; proving disability status for benefits requires extensive documentation, appeals, and repeated examinations.
Enhances diversity of thought; lived experience with impairment yields insights into universal design that improve products for all users.	Increases health risks; secondary conditions like pressure sores, UTIs, or depression arise from primary impairments without preventive care.
Offers tax deductions; disability-related expenses for home modifications or work equipment may reduce taxable income in many jurisdictions.	Limits career advancement; promotion paths often assume uninterrupted attendance, visible productivity, and networking at inaccessible events.
Encourages self-awareness; ongoing symptom monitoring develops strong interoception and proactive health management habits.	Creates social isolation; stigma, communication barriers, and fatigue frequently reduce participation in family gatherings and friendships.
Yields assistive technology benefits; devices like voice recognition or screen readers often improve efficiency for nondisabled users too.	Triggers bureaucratic complexity; coordinating healthcare, benefits, and accommodations consumes hours weekly that nondisabled peers spend on work.
Strengthens advocacy skills; navigating discrimination systems builds knowledge of civil rights law and policy change strategies.	Shortens life expectancy; certain conditions like severe epilepsy or spinal injuries carry mortality risks requiring constant emergency preparedness.
Promotes inclusive design; disabled users' feedback drives accessible websites, curb cuts, and captions that benefit parents, seniors, and tourists.	Subjects to paternalism; well-meaning nondisabled people often make decisions about disabled lives, overriding autonomy and personal choice.

Similarities Between Ssi and Disability

Shared Aspect	How Ssi and Disability Are Alike
Federal programs	SSI and Disability are both administered by the U.S. Social Security Administration under federal law.
Medical criteria	SSI and Disability both require the same strict medical definition of disability for eligibility.
Application process	SSI and Disability share the identical initial application form and supporting evidence requirements.
Income limits	SSI and Disability both impose caps on monthly earned and unearned income for applicants.
Asset limits	SSI and Disability both count resources like bank accounts and stocks toward eligibility limits.
Work restrictions	SSI and Disability both limit substantial gainful activity to roughly $1,550 per month in 2024.
Review cycles	SSI and Disability both undergo periodic continuing disability reviews to verify ongoing eligibility.
Appeal rights	SSI and Disability both offer the same four-step appeals process from reconsideration to federal court.
Back pay possibility	SSI and Disability both can provide retroactive benefits from the application date or earlier onset.
Medical records	SSI and Disability both rely heavily on treating physician notes, test results, and hospital records.
Functional assessment	SSI and Disability both evaluate your residual functional capacity for work-related tasks.
Listed impairments	SSI and Disability both use the same Listing of Impairments to fast-track severe conditions.
Age considerations	SSI and Disability both apply older age brackets more leniently in vocational rules.
Education factors	SSI and Disability both consider your highest education level when judging work capability.
Work history	SSI and Disability both examine past relevant work for skill transferability and physical demands.
Hearing process	SSI and Disability both use administrative law judges for in-person or video disability hearings.
Representation allowed	SSI and Disability both permit attorneys or non-attorney advocates to represent claimants.
No time limit	SSI and Disability both have no fixed expiration date on benefits while disability continues.
Medicare linkage	SSI and Disability both trigger Medicare eligibility after 24 months of benefit receipt.
Medicaid access	SSI and Disability both often qualify recipients for state Medicaid health coverage automatically.
Substantial gainful activity	SSI and Disability both define disqualifying work as earning above the SGA threshold.
Trial work period	SSI and Disability both offer a nine-month trial work period to test employment without penalty.
Expedited process	SSI and Disability both allow compassionate allowances for terminal or clearly disabling conditions.
Overpayment rules	SSI and Disability both require repayment of benefits received due to errors or unreported changes.
Reporting duties	SSI and Disability both obligate recipients to report income, assets, and medical improvements.
State coordination	SSI and Disability both work with state disability determination services for medical decisions.
Benefit adjustments	SSI and Disability both receive annual cost-of-living adjustments tied to inflation rates.
Survivor protections	SSI and Disability both cease at death but may provide lump-sum death benefits to spouses.
Fraud penalties	SSI and Disability both impose fines, imprisonment, or benefit loss for fraudulent claims.
Public assistance	SSI and Disability both serve as safety nets for individuals unable to maintain self-support.

Ssi or Disability: Which Should You Choose?

Choose SSI when your income and assets fall below strict federal limits, regardless of your work history. The deciding variable is financial need versus prior work credits. Disability Insurance requires sufficient recent work history; SSI serves low-income individuals without it.

When to Use Ssi

Choose Ssi when you have under $2,000 in countable assets ($3,000 for couples) and limited monthly income. It applies if you lack 40 work credits or earned too little recently. SSI also provides immediate Medicaid coverage in most states, making it ideal for low-income disabled children or adults with no payroll tax history.

When to Use Disability

Choose Disability when you have earned at least 20 work credits in the last 10 years (or 40 total). This program pays based on your average lifetime earnings, not financial need. Disability suits former workers with sufficient payroll contributions who want higher monthly benefits and Medicare after 24 months of entitlement.

Common Misconceptions About Ssi and Disability

Common Myth	The Reality
"SSI and disability are the exact same program."	SSI is a needs-based benefit for low-income individuals, while disability refers to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which requires a work history.
"You must be completely bedridden to qualify for disability."	The SSA defines disability as the inability to do substantial gainful activity (SGA), which in 2025 is $1,620 monthly for non-blind applicants, not total incapacity.
"SSI automatically gives you Medicare coverage."	SSI provides Medicaid in most states, while Medicare typically begins after 24 months of SSDI benefits, not with SSI.
"If you own a car, you cannot get SSI."	The SSA excludes one vehicle from SSI resource limits if it is used for transportation, regardless of its value, up to any amount.
"Children cannot receive SSI disability benefits."	Children under 18 with a medically determinable impairment causing marked and severe functional limitations can qualify for SSI if family income and resources are within limits.
"Disability benefits stop if you get married."	SSDI benefits continue after marriage for most recipients, while SSI benefits may be reduced because a spouse's income is counted in the household total.
"SSI pays more than SSDI disability benefits."	SSDI pays based on your lifetime earnings record, often exceeding the maximum federal SSI payment of $967 per month for an individual in 2025.
"You need a lawyer to apply for disability benefits."	You can apply online, by phone, or in person without representation; lawyers are most useful at the appeals hearing level, not for the initial application.
"A doctor's note is enough to prove disability."	The SSA requires objective medical evidence, including clinical findings, lab tests, and treatment records, not just a single physician's opinion letter.
"SSI is only for people over age 65."	SSI serves blind or disabled individuals of any age, including children, as long as they meet the income and resource tests; age 65+ is only one eligibility pathway.
"Working part-time disqualifies you from disability."	Earning below the SGA threshold of $1,620 per month in 2025 does not automatically disqualify you, but earnings above that level generally do.
"Disability benefits are taxable income."	SSDI benefits are taxable only if your combined income exceeds $25,000 for individuals or $32,000 for couples, while SSI payments are never taxable.
"You lose SSI if you have more than $2,000 in savings."	The resource limit is $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples, but certain assets like a primary home, household goods, and life insurance policies are excluded.
"SSI and SSDI have the same medical requirements."	Both use the same five-step sequential evaluation for disability, but SSI has additional non-medical rules for income, resources, and residency that SSDI does not.
"The disability application process takes only a few weeks."	The initial decision averages 5-7 months, and appeals can extend the process to 2 years or more, with most approvals occurring at the hearing level.
"You can receive SSI while living outside the United States."	SSI requires U.S. residency for all 30 days of a given month, and leaving the country for a full calendar month terminates eligibility.
"A mental health diagnosis alone guarantees disability approval."	The SSA requires documented functional limitations in areas like concentration, social interaction, and task completion, not just a diagnostic label.
"Back pain is easy to prove for disability benefits."	Back pain is one of the most commonly denied conditions because imaging findings must correlate with specific clinical signs and functional restrictions.
"SSI recipients cannot have a bank account."	You can have a bank account, but the total value of all countable resources, including cash and account balances, must stay below the $2,000 limit.
"If you are approved for disability, you get benefits retroactively."	SSDI has a 5-month waiting period after onset, and retroactive pay is limited to 12 months before application; SSI benefits start the month after application, no retroactivity.
"Disability benefits are permanent once approved."	The SSA conducts continuing disability reviews (CDRs) every 3 to 7 years, and benefits stop if medical improvement occurs or you earn above SGA.
"You cannot apply for SSI if you have a spouse who works."	Spousal income is counted for SSI, but you can still qualify if deemed income falls below the limit, which for a couple is $1,450 per month in 2025.
"SSI covers all your medical expenses automatically."	Medicaid through SSI covers many services, but copays, non-covered treatments, and some prescription drugs still require out-of-pocket payment.
"A terminal illness gets you fast-tracked for disability."	The SSA's Compassionate Allowances list includes certain terminal conditions like ALS and metastatic cancer, but not all terminal illnesses qualify for expedited processing.
"You can collect SSI and unemployment at the same time."	Unemployment benefits certify you are ready and able to work, which directly contradicts the SSI requirement that you cannot engage in substantial gainful activity.
"Disability benefits for veterans are the same as SSDI."	VA disability compensation is based on military service connection and pays different rates, while SSDI requires insured work credits and uses SSA's medical rules.
"SSI payments increase automatically every year."	SSI receives annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) only when inflation rises, and in years with zero COLA, payments stay flat.
"You cannot own a home and get SSI."	Your primary residence is an excluded resource for SSI, regardless of its value, as long as you live in it and it does not generate rental income.
"Applying for disability hurts your credit score."	The SSA does not run credit checks, and disability applications are not reported to credit bureaus, so your credit score is completely unaffected.
"Once denied, you cannot reapply for disability."	You can file a new application at any time, but you must show a new onset date or worsened condition, and the new claim resets the entire process.

Conclusion

Difference Between Ssi and Disability comes down to work history and need. SSI is need-based for low-income individuals, while Disability (SSDI) requires sufficient work credits. Choose SSI if you lack work history; choose SSDI if you paid into Social Security. Both require a qualifying medical condition.

## FAQ ### What is the difference between SSI and disability? SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for blind, disabled, or aged people with limited income and resources, while "disability" commonly refers to SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), which is based on your work history and paid taxes. ### Which is harder to qualify for, SSI or SSDI disability? SSDI is harder to qualify for because you must have earned sufficient work credits within recent years, whereas SSI has no work requirement but imposes strict income and asset limits below $2,000 for individuals. ### Can you receive both SSI and SSDI disability at the same time? Yes, you can receive both SSI and SSDI concurrently if your SSDI benefit amount is below the SSI federal benefit rate, allowing SSI to supplement the difference up to the maximum payment. ### Does SSI or SSDI disability pay more money per month? SSDI typically pays more because your benefit is calculated from your average lifetime earnings, whereas SSI pays a flat federal maximum of $943 per month for individuals in 2025, which is often lower than SSDI. ### What is the biggest mistake beginners make when applying for SSI or disability? The biggest mistake is filing without sufficient medical evidence, as both SSI and SSDI require detailed treatment records, doctor statements, and functional reports that clearly prove your condition prevents substantial work activity. ### Are SSI and disability benefits the same thing in terms of Medicare coverage? No, SSDI provides Medicare coverage after a 24-month waiting period from your disability onset date, while SSI does not provide Medicare but automatically qualifies you for Medicaid in most states immediately. ### Can I switch from SSI to disability benefits if my work history changes? Yes, you can switch from SSI to SSDI if you later earn enough work credits, but you must file a new application, and your SSI payments will stop once your SSDI application is approved. ### How do SSI and disability benefits handle income from a part-time job? SSI reduces your payment by $1 for every $2 earned above $65 per month, while SSDI allows you to earn up to $1,620 per month in 2025 without losing your disability benefits. ### Which benefit is better for someone with no work history, SSI or disability? SSI is the only option for someone with no work history because SSDI requires 40 work credits, and you cannot receive disability insurance without having paid Social Security taxes through prior employment. ### What happens to my SSI or disability benefits if I get married? Getting married can reduce or eliminate SSI because the Social Security Administration counts your spouse's income and resources, but SSDI benefits are unaffected by marriage except for certain dependent benefits.