Qualifying for SSDI or SSI in Oregon
The health requirements for each these kinds of benefits are similar, but there are some key differences between SSI and SSDI when it comes to work history and financial situation.
Both of these programs require you to show the Social Security Administration (SSA) that your disability prohibits earning a living through work.
You need to demonstrate that:
- Your health issues prevent you from working at your current or most recent job.
- Switching fields or jobs isn’t a possibility.
- Your health problems will prevent you from working for a year or more.
If Social Security thinks your medical issues are just an obstacle you’ll be able to overcome in a few months, you won’t receive benefits.
Whether you are eligible for SSI vs. SSDI benefits is also going to depend on your work history, how long you have been paying into Social Security, and how much you have in savings or other assets.
For SSDI
- You must have worked a significant amount in the last 10 years, paying Social Security taxes.
- In recent years, you must have earned a qualifying number of “work credits,” which you get by earning a minimum amount from work each quarter of a year.
- You cannot have much current income from working to get SSDI, but there’s no limit on your savings, investments or property.
For SSI
- You don’t need to have a work history or record of paying Social Security taxes.
- You do need to show you have extremely limited financial resources to draw from and no property beyond your primary home and one car.
An applicant is usually only eligible to receive one type of benefit, but there are times when someone can qualify for both SSDI and SSI benefits.
Everyone’s situation is different, which is why we recommend talking to an Oregon Social Security Disability lawyer if you have questions.
How Benefits Are Calculated: SSI vs. SSDI
Another key difference between Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income is how the benefits are calculated.
How much you receive in SSDI benefits depends on your past income, so different people will receive different amounts.
- The average SSDI benefit reached $1,630 per month in 2026.
Because SSI recipients don’t need to have a work history, previous income isn’t a factor for these benefits. Instead, SSI benefits are capped at standard amounts nationally.
- The SSI maximum reached $994 per month for individuals and $1,491 per month for couples in 2026.
Monthly SSI checks can also be reduced if a recipient has any income from working part-time or support from other types of benefits, money from insurance payments, money from legal settlements, inheritances, or other sources of funds. Too much from other sources can disqualify you from SSI completely.
These two programs also offer access health care, but there are some differences here too:
SSDI recipients can access Medicare before the usual retirement age, but there is a waiting period from the point when Social Security decides you first were eligible for disability benefits.
SSI recipients can access Medicaid, which is also based on financial need.
This can all be a bit confusing. Most of the time, if you qualify for SSDI, you want to focus on that over SSI because it could pay more. But not always.
Be sure that you’re getting the maximum SSD benefit possible when your health issues stop you from working.
How an Oregon Disability Lawyer Can Help You Apply for SSDI or SSI
Whether you apply for SSDI or SSI benefits, it’s going to be tough to convince Social Security that you deserve a financial lifeline.
Most people get denied because Social Security has high standards. The government wants to prevent people from abusing the system, but this ends up making it difficult for legitimate applicants to get approved.
You don’t have to try to get around these roadblocks on your own. Our Eugene disability lawyers can support you during the disability application process.
The team at Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller & Taylor helps you collect medical evidence to back up your disability claim. We can help you apply for SSDI or SSI benefits so that you don’t make any mistakes or leave out crucial information.
If your SSDI or SSI disability claim gets denied, we can support your appeal and prepare you for your disability hearing.
You’ll work with an SSD attorney right away, and that same attorney will stick with you throughout your case. You’re not just going to be shuffled around.
Securing disability benefits isn’t easy, but our experienced lawyers have more than 60 years of combined experience supporting people like you in achieving greater stability and independence.
We’re with You Every Step of the Way
Whether you’re trying to determine if you’re qualified for disability benefits, you need help filing your application, or you received a denial notice and want another chance, our law firm helps from the beginning and stays by your side.
Have a Question about Disability Benefits?
Your health is bad. You can’t work. Your financial stability is threatened. So your head is swimming with questions. How will you get by? How does Social Security Disability work? We’ve gathered answers. See them here:
Disability FAQs »
Hear from a Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller & Taylor Client
“They work hard for people who struggle because of mental and physical abilities. Highly recommend . . . I got the call I was awarded benefits. . . . When he called me I was so happy I was crying. . . . Thank you so much for giving me hope when I lost it. Thank you for fighting so hard.”
