Social Security Programs

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SSDI (Disability Income)SSI (Supplemental Income)

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Know the Program

Social Security and SSI are federal programs with the same rules in every state. Colorado adds state payments for some SSI recipients.

Federal law: Social Security Act Title II (42 U.S.C. 401 and following) for Social Security, and Title XVI (42 U.S.C. 1381 and following) for SSI.
Federal regulations: 20 CFR Part 404 (Social Security) and Part 416 (SSI).
Staff instructions: SSA's Program Operations Manual System (POMS).
Yearly figures: SSA updates benefit amounts and limits each January. The 2027 increase is announced in October 2026.
Colorado: state supplements (AND-CS and OAP) follow CDHS rules.

Primary sources

Social Security Act (SSA) — the full federal law.
20 CFR Part 404 (eCFR) — Social Security rules.
20 CFR Part 416 (eCFR) — SSI rules.
POMS (SSA) — the manual SSA staff use.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

SSA makes most decisions. A state agency makes the medical part of disability decisions, and independent judges hear appeals.

Social Security Administration: runs the programs through local field offices and 1-800-772-1213.
Colorado Disability Determination Services: the state agency that decides whether someone meets SSA's medical rules for disability.
Office of Hearings Operations: administrative law judges hear appeals; then the Appeals Council, then federal court.
SSA Office of the Inspector General: investigates fraud.
CDHS: runs Colorado's state supplements to SSI.

Primary sources

Find a Social Security office (SSA) — local office locator.
Appeal a decision (SSA) — appeal steps and deadlines.
SSA Office of the Inspector General — report fraud.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

Social Security depends on work history. SSI depends on age or disability plus low income and resources. Figures are for 2026.

Retirement: usually 40 work credits (up to 4 a year; $1,890 of earnings per credit in 2026). Full retirement age is 67 for people born in 1960 or later; benefits can start at 62 at a lower amount.
SSDI: enough work credits and a condition that stops work above $1,690 a month ($2,830 if blind) for at least 12 months or is expected to end in death. There is a 5-month waiting period.
SSI: age 65 or older, blind or disabled, with limited income and resources of no more than $2,000 for a person or $3,000 for a couple. Citizenship and immigration rules apply.
Survivors and family: spouses, children and some ex-spouses may get benefits on a worker's record.
Working while getting retirement benefits: before full retirement age, $1 is withheld for every $2 earned over $24,480 a year.

How to apply

Apply at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a field office. Appeals must be filed within 60 days of a decision.

Primary sources

2026 COLA fact sheet (SSA) — all 2026 limits and amounts.
Apply for benefits (SSA) — online applications.
SSI (SSA) — SSI eligibility and how to apply.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

Benefits rose 2.8% in January 2026.

Retirement: the average retired worker gets about $2,071 a month; the maximum at full retirement age is $4,152.
SSI: up to $994 a month for a person and $1,491 for a couple, minus countable income. Colorado may add a state supplement.
Health coverage: SSDI leads to Medicare after 24 months. SSI usually comes with Health First Colorado (Medicaid).
Work incentives: trial work months (earnings over $1,210 a month in 2026), Ticket to Work and PASS plans help people try working.
Representative payee: someone can manage benefits for a person who can't.

Primary sources

2026 COLA fact sheet (SSA) — benefit amounts.
Ticket to Work (SSA) — work help for disability beneficiaries.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs retirement, survivors and disability insurance (Social Security) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a needs-based program.

August 14, 1935: President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act.
1939: Benefits were added for dependents and survivors.
1956: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) began.
1972: Congress created SSI (payments began January 1974) and automatic yearly cost-of-living adjustments.
1983: Amendments began raising full retirement age to 67.
January 5, 2025: The Social Security Fairness Act ended the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset.

Primary sources

Social Security history (SSA) — official history and timeline.
Social Security Fairness Act (SSA) — the 2025 WEP/GPO repeal.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

Social Security Programs

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Social Security Programs

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Know the Program

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