People who cannot work to support themselves may rely on government benefit programs. Some people, including professionals with a significant work history, may have private disability benefits available. Many others rely on Social Security Disability programs.
There are two main disability benefits available through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Some people may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance SSDI benefits. Others might be eligible for Supplemental Security Income SSI benefits. There are several noticeable differences when looking at SSDI versus SSI benefits in South Dakota.
The better that prospective applicants understand these benefit programs, the easier it may be for them to pursue the support they need when they cannot continue working due to medical challenges. Both SSI and SSDI are benefits designed for those with limited resources who cannot currently work. What are the main differences between these two benefit programs?
1. How people become eligible
South Dakota SSDI benefits are an earned benefit program. Applicants must have an extensive work history that meets minimum standards imposed by the SSA. For most professionals, accumulating at least 40 employment credits prior to applying for SSDI is necessary.
Professionals can earn up to four credits each year. Generally, SSDI applicants also need to have a recent work history. The SSA requires that at least 20 of their credits come from the last decade. They must have proof of a medical condition so debilitating that they cannot maintain any consistent, gainful employment.
SSI is different. It is an entitlement program available to people who have never worked due to disabilities, minor children with major medical challenges, people who are legally blind and older adults with limited resources. People have South Dakota SSI eligibility if they can prove that they have medical conditions that may qualify them for benefits and if they meet certain financial requirements.
2. The amount of support provided
SSDI benefits tend to be more valuable for those living without full-time income than SSI benefits. In 2025, the maximum SSDI benefit possible is $4,108 per month, but most applicants receive less than the maximum amount. The exact benefits that a worker might receive depend in part on their average income during their working years.
SSI, on the other hand, is subject to federal rules regarding maximum monthly payments. In 2025, the maximum South Dakota SSI benefit available is $967 for individual applicants and $1,450 for applicants with eligible spouses. The state used to offer a supplement, but additional benefits are not currently available for South Dakota applicants.
Countable income, including wages from a part-time job, can reduce the SSI benefits people receive. Typically, every $2 that applicants earn may reduce their SSI by $1 monthly. Substantial gainful activity could eliminate SSDI benefits. The SSA limits SSDI applicants to no more than $1,620 in income monthly if people hope to receive SSDI.
3. The application process
People in need of SSDI benefits should apply as soon as they believe they are eligible. The SSA imposes a five-month waiting period. Generally, people are not eligible until their sixth month of total disability. There are exceptions for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
People applying for SSDI benefits need to fill out special paperwork. They also need to gather extensive medical documentation. Generally speaking, they need documentation of not just their diagnosis but also the treatment they must undergo and their prognosis. In some cases, applicants may be eligible for backdated benefits when the SSA approves their SSDI application.
Applying for SSI is slightly different. Applicants need to fill out paperwork and provide documentation affirming that they are eligible. Medical records, proof of residency and financial records are usually part of the SSI application process. It is possible to submit applications for both programs electronically or to make appointments to apply.
Choosing between the two programs isn’t always necessary. In some cases, people may be eligible for concurrent disability benefits. People can receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time.
The applicant must be eligible for SSDI and SSI based on their financial circumstances, medical challenges and work history. Their eligibility for SSI generally depends on whether their SSDI benefits exceed the threshold for income. Generally, applicants with concurrent disability benefits receive a specific maximum amount, not the full value of both SSI and SSDI benefits.
People in need of financial support while living with disabling medical conditions may be eligible for SSDI and SSI benefits. Securing support early in the application process may help people to better understand their options and minimize delays that might otherwise drag on.