SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• If your SSDI benefit is low because of limited work history, you may also qualify for SSI (Supplemental Security Income).
• This combination is known as concurrent benefits.
• SSI eligibility is based on financial need, so your household income and resources must fall below certain limits.

SSDI and Pennsylvania State Assistance Programs

Pennsylvania offers additional aid programs that can work alongside SSDI, including:

• Medical Assistance (Medicaid): If your income is low, you may qualify for state-funded Medicaid even while receiving SSDI.
• LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program): Helps cover heating and energy costs.
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Provides food benefits based on income and household size.
• Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program: Available for qualifying seniors and people with disabilities.

SSDI and Medicare in Pennsylvania

• After receiving SSDI for 24 months, you automatically qualify for Medicare.
• Some Pennsylvanians are “dual eligible,” meaning they qualify for both Medicare (through SSDI) and Medicaid (through state assistance).
• Dual eligibility can help cover costs like premiums, copays, and prescription drugs.

Can You Work While Receiving SSDI?

• SSDI allows limited work under Trial Work Period (TWP) rules.
• This can sometimes be combined with state vocational rehabilitation services in Pennsylvania, which help individuals return to the workforce without immediately losing benefits.

Important Considerations When Combining Aid

• Some benefits are reduced when you receive SSDI. For example, SSI payments may decrease if your SSDI benefit is too high.
• Programs like SNAP or Medicaid have income thresholds, and SSDI counts as income.
• Each program has its own eligibility rules, so you may qualify for one type of aid but not another.