What Is My Social Security Disability Benefit Amount?
It’s common for people who qualify for disability benefits to receive payments that may not be the same as those of others who also qualify for disability benefits. There are many reasons why this can happen.
This article explains the different Social Security disability programs. It provides the information needed to understand how disability benefits are determined under each program. Additionally, you’ll gain insight into the impact of cost-of-living adjustments on your annual benefit payments.
Disability Programs Through The Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration oversees two disability benefit programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a need-based program that pays benefits to people with limited or no income and resources. The total value of your resources or assets cannot exceed $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for married couples.
SSI benefits are available to individuals in the following categories:
- Adults and children who are disabled
- Adults and children who are blind
- Adults, age 65 or older.
To qualify for SSI, adults must be unable to do substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to last for at least 12 months or to result in death.
A child may qualify for SSI benefits as disabled with a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments lasting or expected to last for at least 12 months or expected to result in death. The impairment or combination of impairments must cause marked and severe functional limitations.
The SSDI program provides monthly payments to people who cannot do substantial gainful activities because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to last for at least one year or result in death. SSDI is not a need-based program like SSI. Instead, you must have worked long enough at jobs where the earnings were subject to payment of Social Security taxes.
What Are The Disability Benefits Payable Through SSI And SSDI?
In 2024, an individual’s maximum federal SSI benefits are $943. Eligible couples can receive as much as $1,415 each month. However, depending on your state, you could receive more each month.
Some states provide supplemental payments from state funds to people who qualify for federal SSI benefits. The following states do not offer supplemental payments to SSI beneficiaries:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Mississippi
- North Dakota
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
If you qualify for SSI benefits, your federal benefit may be less than $943 because income from other sources can reduce your monthly federal benefit. However, not all sources of income count, so you should consult with a disability lawyer or advocate to determine how other income will affect your SSI benefits.
SSDI benefits are calculated based in part on an applicant’s lifetime earnings. The maximum monthly SSDI benefits in 2024 are $3,822. According to the Social Security Administration, the average monthly SSDI benefits paid in March 2024 were $1,537.
Members of a disabled worker’s family may qualify for SSDI benefits. Family benefits cannot exceed 85% to 150% of the SSDI benefits paid to the disabled worker.
Retirement benefits when an eligible worker reaches full retirement age are calculated in the same way as SSDI benefits. However, workers can retire early at age 62, but they do not receive the same benefits they’d receive by waiting until full retirement age, which for a person born in 1960 or later is age 67.
Early retirement benefits are less than the benefit paid at full retirement age. The disparity could be as much as 30%, and it continues even after the person reaches full retirement age.
Inflation And Your Disability Benefits
Federal disability and retirement payments, including SSI and SSDI, may increase each year to keep pace with the inflation rate. For example, in 2024, SSI and SSDI benefits increased thanks to a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.
