Understand your benefits.
Protect your independence.
Explore disability benefits, health coverage, work incentives and savings options, and find official resources for your next step.
Program directory
Disability benefits, at a glance.
SSDI is based on work history; SSI is based on income and assets; adults face the same medical test for both.
- 01
- Support
- Monthly payments based on work history
- Learn about
- Work credits and the disability test
- 02
- Support
- Monthly payments with limited income
- Learn about
- Income and resource rules
- 03
- Support
- Health coverage and long-term services
- Learn about
- How disability affects eligibility
- 04
- Support
- Federal health insurance for SSDI recipients
- Learn about
- When coverage starts
- 05
- Support
- Free job services and work supports
- Learn about
- Working without losing needed benefits
- 06
- Support
- Tax-advantaged savings for disability costs
- Learn about
- Who can open one and how it works
Program eligibility and benefits depend on individual circumstances. Check the official guidance.
Getting started
Preparing a disability application.
You can apply for SSDI and SSI together through Social Security; the medical records do most of the work.
- 1Choose the right programSSDI depends on work history. SSI depends on limited income and resources.
- 2Gather medical recordsList your doctors, treatments and medications before you apply.
- 3Apply with Social SecurityYou can apply for SSDI and SSI online, by phone or in person.
- 4Respond to every requestAnswer letters and attend any exams Social Security schedules.
- 5Appeal if you are deniedYou usually have 60 days to appeal a decision.
Common assumptions
Disability benefit myths, set straight
- AssumptionSSDI and SSI are the same program.What to checkSSDI is based on your work history. SSI is based on limited income and resources.
- AssumptionAny work ends my benefits.What to checkWork incentives let many people try working. Ask about the rules first.
- AssumptionA denial is final.What to checkYou can appeal. Most decisions allow 60 days to ask for reconsideration.
- AssumptionSavings always disqualify me from SSI.What to checkABLE accounts let eligible people save without most of it counting against SSI.
Common pitfalls
Why disability claims get denied
- Incomplete medical evidenceName every doctor and treatment on your application.
- Missed appeal deadlinesWrite down the date on every decision letter.
- Unreported changesReport work and income changes to Social Security on time.
Frequently asked questions
Disability benefits questions.
SSDI pays people who worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough. SSI pays people with a disability, blindness or age 65+ who have limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Some people qualify for both.
Generally after you have received SSDI for 24 months. People with ALS, and some people with end-stage kidney disease, can get Medicare sooner.
Often, yes. Social Security has work incentives, such as a trial work period for SSDI, that let you test working. Report all work, and get free counseling through Ticket to Work before you start.
An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged savings account for people whose disability began before a certain age. Starting in 2026, that age rose from 26 to 46. Most ABLE savings do not count against SSI or Medicaid.
You can appeal. The first step is usually a request for reconsideration, and you generally have 60 days from the date you receive the decision to ask.
Every state has a Protection and Advocacy agency that helps people with disabilities. ADA.gov explains your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Official sources
SSA and disability program links
Independent guide
GrantsHubUSA explains programs and links to official resources. We do not run these programs or process applications.
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