What Is the Monthly Payment for Social Security Disability?

Do you know how Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are calculated? If you are living with a disability and need financial support, knowing what to expect in terms of monthly payments can help you plan effectively.

At The Keener Law Firm, we know how important knowing exactly what you will receive in monthly benefits is to you and your family. In this article, we break down how these benefits are determined and what factors influence the amounts you may receive. If you have any questions about this or any issue related to Social Security Disability benefits, contact The Keener Law Firm today. We represent disabled claimants throughout the country. Call today.

How Are SSDI Payments Calculated?

SSDI benefits are based on your prior work history and earnings. Unlike SSI, which is need-based, the amount of your SSDI benefits depends on your contributions to the Social Security system through payroll taxes. Here’s how the amount is calculated:

Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME):

The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your average indexed monthly earnings by looking at your 35 highest taxable income years and adjusting those earnings for inflation. They add the 35 adjusted yearly earnings together, then divide by 35, and then divide again by 12. The resulting figure is put into the following formula:

• 90% of the first $1,226 of AIME, plus
• 32% of AIME between $1,226 and $7,391, plus
• 15% of AIME above $7,391

For example, if your AIME is $3,000, your benefit calculation would look like this:

• 90% of $1,226 = $1,103.40
• 32% of $1,774 = $567.68 ($3,000 – $1,226 = $1,774)
• 15% of amount of AIME over $7,391 = $0.00
• Total $1,103.40 + $567.68 = $1,671.08

Rounded down to the nearest dime, your monthly benefit in 2025 would be $1,671.00

NOTE: Every year, the amounts used as “bend points,” the formula’s limits, are adjusted by the Social Security Administration to account for inflation.

• Maximum SSDI Payments: For 2025, the maximum SSDI benefit is $4,018 per month. However, the average SSDI payment is expected to be around $1,580 per month, depending on individual work histories.
• Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA): Payments are adjusted annually to keep up with inflation. For 2025, the COLA increase is 2.5%, ensuring that benefits retain their purchasing power.

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limits

To qualify for SSDI, your earnings must fall below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold. This limit is updated annually and reflects the maximum income you can earn while still being considered disabled under SSA rules.

For 2025, the SGA limits are:

• $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals.
• $2,700 per month for blind individuals.

Exceeding these limits may result in a denial or termination of benefits. However, SSA allows certain work incentives to encourage beneficiaries to return to work without immediately losing benefits. There are also earnings that are exempt from counting, such as costs associated with transportation to work related to your disability, or other disability related work or care expenses.

How Are SSI Payments Calculated?

Unlike SSDI, SSI is designed for individuals with limited income and resources. Eligibility is not tied to work history but instead focuses on financial need.

Federal Benefit Rate (FBR): The maximum monthly payment for SSI is called the Federal Benefit Rate. For 2025, the FBR is:

• $967 per month for an individual.
• $1,450 per month for a couple.

Countable Income Reductions: Your SSI payment is reduced by any countable income you receive. However, the SSA excludes certain amounts when calculating your countable income:

• The first $20 of most types of income each month.
• The first $65 of earnings,
• plus half of any earnings above that amount.

For example, if you earn $300 per month, the SSA excludes $65 and half of the remaining $235, reducing your countable income to $117.50. This amount is then subtracted from your FBR.

State Supplements:

Most states provide additional funds to SSI recipients, which can increase your monthly payment. These supplements vary depending on the state you live in and whether you pay for housing costs, live in a nursing home, or require in-home care.

States that do not currently supplement SSI benefits are Arizona, Arkansas, North Dakota, Mississippi. Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Concurrent Benefits – Receiving Both SSDI and SSI

In some cases, individuals qualify for both SSDI and SSI benefits simultaneously. This situation is known as concurrent benefits. If your SSDI payment is low because of limited work history, SSI can supplement your income to bring you up to the maximum federal rate.

For example, if your SSDI payment is $500 per month and the SSI maximum is $967, SSI could provide an additional $467 to make up the difference.

Other Important Factors That Affect Payments

• Income and Resources: SSI eligibility considers financial resources, including cash, bank accounts, and property. Limits are set at $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples. SSDI does not impose resource limits but does consider income from certain sources when calculating payments.
• Medicare and Medicaid Eligibility: SSDI recipients qualify for Medicare only after receiving benefits for 24 months. In contrast, SSI recipients generally qualify for Medicaid immediately.
• Retroactive Payments: SSDI applicants may receive retroactive payments for up to 12 months before their application date if they were disabled during that time. SSI payments, however, only start from the application date. This depends on when the Social Security Administration determines your qualifying disability began. It can include up to 12 month before you applied for benefits!

Cost-of-Living Adjustments and Annual Increases

Both SSDI and SSI payments receive cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) each year to keep up with inflation. In 2025, the COLA increase is 2.5%, which raises monthly benefits across the board.

For instance, if your SSDI payment is $1,580 in 2024, a 2.5% increase would raise it to approximately $1,620 in 2025.

Get Experienced Help with Your Social Security Disability Claim

If you have questions about your eligibility or need help with the application process, reaching out to a legal professional can simplify the process and improve your chances of approval. The Keener Law Firm is here to help guide you through the complexities of Social Security Disability programs so you can secure the benefits you deserve.