I Am 63 Years Old and Get SSI. Am I Able to Get SSDI?

It is possible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) while you are on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but it depends entirely on your work history and your medical condition.

At age 63, you are in a unique window because you are approaching full retirement age but are still eligible for disability benefits. Here is a breakdown of how these two programs interact and what you need to know.

To understand if you can get both, it helps to see how they differ:

The Difference Between SSI and SSDI

Can You Switch or Combine Them?

If you are already receiving SSI, the Social Security Administration (SSA) actually requires you to apply for any other benefits you might be entitled to. This includes SSDI.

1. Do you have enough work credits?

To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked and paid into Social Security for a certain amount of time. Generally, for someone your age, you need to have worked five out of the past 10 years.

2. Is your SSDI benefit higher than your SSI?

• If your SSDI payment is high: You will transition from SSI to SSDI. You might stop receiving SSI entirely if your SSDI check is more than the maximum SSI limit (currently $994 per month for an individual in 2026).
• If your SSDI payment is low: You may receive concurrent benefits. This means you get a small SSDI check and a smaller SSI check to bring you up to the total SSI income limit.

3. The Medical Hurdle

Since you are already on SSI, the SSA has likely already determined that you meet their medical definition of “disabled.” However, if you originally qualified for SSI because you were age 65 or older (which doesn’t apply to you yet) or for a nondisability reason, you would need to prove a medical disability to get SSDI.

Why Age 63 Matters

At age 63, you are very close to full retirement age (FRA).

• If you qualify for SSDI now, your benefit amount will be the same as your full retirement benefit.
• If you simply took “early retirement” at 63, your monthly checks would be permanently reduced.
• Winning an SSDI claim at 63 may be easier because the SSA’s rules acknowledge that it is harder for workers over 60 to adjust to new types of work.

Important Considerations

• Medicare vs. Medicaid: SSDI comes with Medicare (usually after a 24-month waiting period). SSI usually comes with Medicaid immediately. Getting both (concurrent benefits) can give you the best of both worlds in terms of health coverage.
• The Application: You can apply for SSDI online at the SSA website or by making an appointment at your local Social Security office.

Note: Navigating Social Security can be complex. Because you are 63, it is often worth speaking with a disability advocate or attorney to ensure you are maximizing your monthly benefit before you hit retirement age.