What Is the Asset Limit for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits?

Posted October 25, 2022 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®

The Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) program has no asset limit—but, the Social Security Administration (SSA) operates two separate disability programs.

One program is SSDI (often just called “Social Security disability”) and the other is SSI (Supplemental Security Income). To be eligible for SSDI, a worker has to pay FICA taxes into the Social Security system for many years. (Or someone who is self-employed has to pay self-employment, or SECA, taxes for many years.) To be eligible for SSI, someone has to have low income and assets (which the SSA calls “resources”).

Asset Rules for Social Security Disability

Social Security disability is a benefit that workers pay for, and qualify for, through the tax contributions they pay into the Social Security system. So the SSDI program does not limit the amount of cash, assets, or resources an applicant owns. An SSDI applicant can own two houses, four cars, and have $1,000,000 in the bank and still qualify for benefits.

The SSDI program also doesn’t have a limit to the amount of “unearned income” someone can bring in; for instance, rent from rental property or dividends from investments. (But, an applicant who earns more than a certain amount of wages or “earned income” by working in a job, managing a business, or being self-employed won’t qualify as disabled because Social Security will find that person capable of working.)

Asset Rules for SSI Disability

The rules for SSI are completely different. SSI is a need-based program for those living in poverty. To be eligible for SSI, an individual has to have low income (generally under $900 to $1,700 per month) and low assets (less than $2,000). For couples, the asset limit is $3,000.

Certain assets don’t count toward the limit, including one car and one house. For more information on what assets count for SSI purposes, see our article on the SSI property limit.

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