How Much Will I Get in Monthly Social Security Disability Benefits?

Your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit amount depends on your work history and the amount you’ve paid into Social Security over your working career. Unlike other government assistance programs that provide fixed amounts, SSDI benefits are calculated based on your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) and your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). This article explains how these calculations work.

At The Keener Law Firm, we help disability claimants across Georgia and nationwide understand exactly how their SSDI benefits are determined. While you can file a disability claim on your own in Georgia, having experienced legal representation significantly increases your chances of approval and ensures you receive the maximum benefits you’re entitled to.

How Does Social Security Calculate My Monthly Disability Benefits?

The Social Security Administration uses a complex formula to determine your monthly benefit amount. They start by examining your earnings record over your entire working career. The government adjusts your past earnings for inflation to reflect today’s wage levels. The result of the adjustment is called your indexed earnings history.

Next, they identify your highest-earning 35 years to calculate your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings. If you worked fewer than 35 years, zeros are included in the calculation, which can significantly reduce your benefit amount. The SSA then applies a formula to your AIME to determine your Primary Insurance Amount, which becomes your monthly benefit if you become disabled at full retirement age.

For 2025, the formula use to determine your monthly benefit amount is the following:

• Add 90% of the first $1,226 of your AIME, plus
• 55% of earnings between $1,226 and $7,391, plus
• 15% of any amount above $7,391.
• Then round down to the nearest $0.10 (unless already a multiple of 10)

So if your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings is $6,250, your monthly benefit would be calculated like this:

• 90% of the first $1,226 = $1,103.40, plus
• 32% of earnings between $1,226 and $7,391 = $1,972.80 plus       
• 15% of earnings above $7,391 = 0
• Result: $1,103.40 + $1,972.80 + 0 = $3,076.20 as the monthly SSDI benefit amount.

What Is the Maximum SSDI Benefit Amount I Can Receive?

The maximum SSDI benefit for 2025 is $4,018 per month. However, reaching this maximum requires a career with consistently high earnings and paying the maximum amount into Social Security for at least 35 years. Most disability recipients receive significantly less than this maximum amount.

Your individual benefit amount reflects your personal earnings history. If you had periods of unemployment, lower wages, or worked part-time, your benefit will be proportionally lower. Workers who became disabled at younger ages typically receive smaller benefits because they had fewer high-earning years to include in their calculation.

Can I Estimate My Future Disability Benefits Before Filing?

Yes, you can get a good estimate of your potential SSDI benefits by creating a “my Social Security” account at ssa.gov. This online portal shows your complete earnings history and provides benefit estimates for disability, retirement, and survivor benefits.

The projections on the site assume you become disabled in the current year. They are based on your earnings record as of the statement date. Keep in mind that if you continue working and earning higher wages, your eventual benefit amount may increase.

The Keener Law Firm reviews these government estimates with clients during initial consultations to help them understand their potential benefits. We can also identify any errors in your earnings record that might affect your benefit calculation.

Do Disability Benefits Increase After I Start Receiving Them?

You will also receive annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to your SSDI benefits. The Social Security Administration announces these increases in October, and they take effect the following January.

For 2025, SSDI recipients received a 2.5% COLA increase. While these adjustments are intended to offset inflation, they often do not fully cover increased living expenses. That’s why it is so important to understand your complete financial picture when planning for disability.

You should also know that if you return to work while receiving SSDI benefits, you may be eligible for work incentives, like the Trial Work Period (TWP). This program allows you to keep receiving your full benefits during a trial work period, while also keeping as much income as you can earn. Ask us about the TWP and the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE).

How Long Does It Take to Start Receiving My Monthly Benefits?

SSDI benefits begin in the sixth month after your disability onset date, not when you file your application. This five-month waiting period applies to all SSDI recipients, regardless of the severity of their condition.

For example, if Social Security determines your disability begins in January, your first benefit payment would be for the month of June. If your claim takes several months or years to approve, you’ll receive back pay covering all the months from your initial eligibility date.

The application process itself usually takes three to six months for initial decisions. If your claim is denied and requires appeals, the process can extend another year or more. Working with The Keener Law Firm from the beginning ensures your application is prepared properly and is filed complete with all necessary supporting documents and in a compelling form.  This reduces processing time and increases your approval odds.

What Other Factors Affect My Monthly Benefit Amount?

Other factors can also influence your final benefit amount. If you receive workers’ compensation or certain other disability benefits, Social Security may reduce your SSDI payments to prevent your total benefits from exceeding 80% of your pre-disability earnings.

Your family members could also be eligible for benefits based on your work record. Your spouse and any unmarried children under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school, or any age if disabled before age 22) can receive monthly payments equal to up to 50% of your benefit amount. However, total family benefits are capped at a maximum amount, typically 150% to 180% of your benefit.

Should I Work with an Attorney to Maximize My Benefits?

While you can file a disability claim without legal representation in Georgia, working with an experienced disability attorney significantly improves your chances of approval and helps ensure you receive the full benefits you’ve earned. The Disability lawyers at The Keener Law Firm understand the complex medical and vocational requirements Social Security uses to evaluate claims.

We work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay attorney fees only if we win your case. Our fees are regulated by federal law and capped at 25% of your back pay, up to a maximum amount. This arrangement allows you to get experienced legal representation regardless of your current financial situation.

Understanding how your SSDI benefit amount is determined helps you make informed decisions about your financial future and disability claim strategy.

Contact The Keener Law Firm today for a free consultation to discuss your specific situation and learn how we can help you secure the disability benefits you deserve.