How Much Would I Receive In Social Security Disability?

If you have a disability that has caused you to be unable to work, you may be considering whether or not you should pursue a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. One question many people ask when attempting to decide whether or not to pursue a claim is – how much would I receive in disability benefits? This is an understandable question to ask. After all, disability benefits can be very helpful in reducing financial stress for those unable to work due to their condition. Let’s take a closer look at what types of benefits are available and how much you might receive.

What Types of Benefits Are Available?

The Social Security Administration offers two types of benefits to disabled individuals. These include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. In order to receive either type of benefit, an individual must have a qualifying medical disability that has caused them to be disabled for at least one continuous calendar year or more. If the disability is less than a year or occurs only intermittently, an individual usually will not be eligible for benefits.

In order to determine whether or not a particular condition qualifies as a disability, the Social Security Administration will typically consult what is commonly known as the “Blue Book.” The Blue Book is a listing of various impairments and their accompanying symptoms that, if established, may qualify for disability benefits. However, if you have a condition not listed in the Blue Book, you shouldn’t panic. It may simply mean that you need to offer additional medical proof to establish the nature of your condition and its disabling effect.

Although similar in some ways, SSDI and SSI benefits also have important differences. To be eligible to receive SSDI benefits, an individual must be “insured.” To the Social Security Administration, this means that the person worked a qualifying job for a sufficient length of time, through which he or she regularly paid a portion of their salary into the Social Security system.

In order to receive SSI benefits, an individual does not need to be “insured,” as is the case with SSDI benefits. Instead, an applicant must have income and resources below a specific limit established by the Social Security Administration. That limit may change annually, so it is essential to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney regarding your circumstances and which type of benefit you should pursue.

How Much Are Payments Each Month?

When attempting to estimate how much you might receive in Social Security disability benefits, it’s important to understand that the benefit amount is not based on your particular condition. While there are very limited exceptions (such as an increased monthly amount for individuals who are blind), as a general rule, the condition itself does not determine the payment amount. Instead, benefit amounts are often based on a variety of factors, including work and earning history, income and resource level, and others.

To calculate SSDI benefits, for example, the Social Security Administration will typically consider something known as the average indexed monthly earnings, or AIME, for short. This figure is based on how much an individual earned over the course of their work history and how much tax they paid into the Social Security system. Using this figure, the Social Security Administration will determine a primary insurance amount (or PIA for short), and the benefits amount will be based on the PIA.

For both SSDI and SSI benefits, there is a maximum amount that can be received each year, which is established by the Social Security Administration. In 2024, the maximum SSDI amount is $3,822 per month. For those who receive SSI benefits, the maximum monthly payment amount is $943 per month for an eligible individual and $1,415 per month for an eligible couple. These amounts may change yearly in keeping with inflation and other economic factors.

Keener Law – Your Disability Benefits Attorneys

If you or someone you love is struggling with a disability, there may be times when you simply feel overwhelmed. That’s understandable. At Keener Law, we care for our clients. We understand the struggles that they face and the difficulties they endure because of their disabilities. And we know that the last thing you need when you’re living with a disability is to add legal worries to your list. The good news is, you don’t have to. Instead, you can call us. Our talented and experienced legal team understands every aspect of the law pertaining to disability benefits, and we’re ready to put that knowledge to work for you. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.