If you are disabled and unable to work as a result, you may wonder if you should apply for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. You may also wonder how much you would receive if your claim was approved. This is an understandable question to ask, as these benefits can be very helpful in relieving financial stress during a difficult time. Let’s take a closer look at what types of benefits are available and how those benefits are calculated.
Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits, or SSDI benefits for short, are one of two types of disability benefits offered by the Social Security Administration. These benefits are available to individuals with a qualifying medical condition that has rendered them disabled for at least one continuous calendar year or more. In addition, the applicant must be “insured.” To the Social Security Administration, being “insured” means that the applicant worked a job for a sufficient time and regularly paid a portion of their salary in taxes into the Social Security system.
If you are considering applying for SSDI benefits, you may wonder how much you might receive. First, it’s important and helpful to understand right away that the amount of benefits you receive does not generally depend upon your particular condition. Instead, it depends more on your work and earnings history.
The monthly SSDI benefit an individual receives is typically based on their lifetime average earnings. The calculation process can seem complicated, but essentially, the Social Security Administration will begin by calculating what is known as an individual’s averaged indexed monthly earnings, or AIME for short. An individual’s AIME is essentially based on how much they have earned and how much Social Security tax they paid while working. Knowing an individual’s AIME enables the SSA to determine an individual’s primary insurance amount or PIA.
In 2024, the maximum amount you can earn from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is $3,822 per month. In 2025, the maximum Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit in 2025 is expected to be $4,018 per month.
Supplemental Security Income Benefits
The second type of disability benefit offered by the Social Security Administration is Supplemental Security Income benefits, or SSI benefits, for short. As with SSDI benefits, in order to be approved for SSI benefits, an individual must have a qualifying medical condition that has rendered them disabled for at least one continuous calendar year or more.
SSI benefits differ from SSDI benefits in other ways – primarily in the fact that one does not need to be “insured” to be approved for benefits. Instead, a recipient must have income and resources below a certain limit established by the Social Security Administration. That limit may change yearly, so consulting with an attorney regarding your particular circumstances is advised.
As with SSDI and SSI benefits are not determined based on the condition itself. Instead, the SSA determines how much to pay by subtracting any “countable income” that an individual has from the federal benefit rate – which is the maximum amount of SSI benefits that the SSA will pay each month. This is because SSI is primarily intended to pay for basic needs for low-income individuals. If an individual has other “countable income,” the SSA expects you to spend that first before determining your benefit rate.
In 2024, the maximum monthly SSI payment is $943 for an individual and $1,415 per couple. In 2025, the maximum monthly SSI payment is expected to be will be $967 per individual and $1,450 per month per couple.
Online Options For Finding Information
Those who want a more detailed estimate can create an account on the Social Security website here. Setting up your account should be quick and relatively easy – and even better, it’s free. You will need to provide important information and verify your identity. The Social Security Administration also offers a benefits calculator that is very helpful for gathering information about what your claim might be worth. In addition to checking estimated benefits, an SSA account will enable you to review your income history, check how many work credits you have, receive important updates and review other essential information.
Call Sackett Law Today
At Sackett Law, we are passionate about helping our clients fight for the disability benefits they need and deserve. We know that being disabled can turn your life upside down – and we know that these benefits can be incredibly helpful in relieving stress and helping you to move forward with your life. We understand every aspect of the law pertaining to disability benefits, and we’ll always pursue the best strategies on your behalf. If you’re ready to take the next step today, we’d love to talk with you and let you know how we can help. Give us a call. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
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