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Programs and incentives with cash benefits

Social Security manages two programs that provide cash benefits to people with disabilities or who are blind:

Social Security Disability Insurance

SSDI provides benefits to disabled or blind individuals who are “insured” by workers’ contributions to the Social Security trust fund. These contributions are based on your earnings (or those of your spouse or parents) as required by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA).
Learn more about SSDI

Supplemental Security Income Program

The SSI program makes cash assistance to aged, blind, and disabled individuals (including children under age 18) who have limited income and resources. The Federal Government funds SSI from federal tax revenues. In addition, Massachusetts provides a supplement to the monthly Federal amount and rolls it into one monthly check.
Learn more about SSI
Get detailed information about SSI in Massachusetts

Abbreviated Comparison of Social Security Benefit Programs and Work Incentives

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Based on an individual’s work history Based on an individual’s work history
No asset limit Asset limit for eligibility
An individual either receives their full cash benefit or none at all, based on earnings Benefits gradually decrease as wages increase
Health coverage is available: Medicare – Generally a 24-month waiting period Health coverage is available: Medicaid – Automatic Coverage
Most Commonly Used Work Incentives: Most Commonly Used Work Incentives:
  • Trial Work Period
  • Earned Income Exclusions
  • Extended Period of Eligibility
  • 1619B
  • Impairment Related Work Expense
  • Impairment Related Work Expense
  • Expedited Reinstatement
  • Expedited Reinstatement
  • Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
  • PASS
  • Extended Medicare

Fact sheet content from Rhodes to Independence

The SSI and SSDI programs share many concepts and terms, however, there are also many, very important differences in the rules affecting eligibility, benefit payments and work incentives. For a more complete description of the differences, click here

Work Incentives

Work Incentives, also called “Employment Supports”, are special rules and programs that help people with disabilities safely explore work options without losing their benefits.

Some examples of Social Security Work Incentives include:

  • Trial Work Period is a work incentive that allows individual who receive SSDI to explore their ability to work for at least nine months.
  • Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR). If a person’s benefits have ended due to earnings, they can request benefits to continue without having to complete a new application. SSA will provide provisional, or temporary, cash and health benefits for up to six months while it reviews the request. Provisional benefits usually do not need to be paid back even if SSA ultimately denies benefits.
  • Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS). A PASS plan allows an individual who is eligible for SSI to set aside money to cover items or services needed to achieve a specific work goal. Such items or services may include school expenses, equipment and tools, transportation, and uniforms
  • Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE). Social Security can deduct the cost of certain impairment-related expenses that one needs in order to work from his/her earnings. These expenses will be considered in determining Substantial Gainful Activity for SSDI beneficiaries and/or will be excluded from earnings when an SSI beneficiary’s check is to be adjusted.

Click here for more information on Social Security Work Incentives. For free, personalized services, contact a CWIC in your area