Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSDI benefits are based on your work history and how much you’ve paid into Social Security. The amount you can receive depends on your average lifetime earnings. Typically, SSDI benefits are calculated using your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME), which is an average of your earnings over your highest-earning 35 years of work.

The monthly SSDI benefit can range from a few hundred dollars to over $3,000, with the average monthly SSDI benefit in 2023 being approximately $1,483.

To estimate your benefits, you can use the SSA’s online benefit calculator. Keep in mind that SSDI benefits are designed to replace a portion of your lost income due to disability, not to cover all of your expenses.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI benefits are need-based and are determined by your income and assets, not your work history. For SSI, the maximum monthly benefit is $914 for an individual and $1,371 for a couple in 2023. These amounts may be reduced based on other sources of income, such as other disability benefits or household income.

Factors That Affect Your Social Security Disability Benefit Amount

Several factors can affect the amount of your benefits, including:

• Work history: For SSDI, the more you’ve worked and paid into Social Security, the higher your benefit amount will likely be.
• Family members: Your spouse and dependent children may also be eligible for benefits based on your SSDI claim.
• Other income sources: Any income you receive from other sources can reduce the amount of SSI you’re eligible for.

Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA)

Each year, Social Security benefits are adjusted to keep pace with inflation. This cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) can affect your monthly benefit amount, increasing it to help maintain purchasing power.

What to Do If Your Benefits Are Not Enough

If the Social Security Disability benefits you qualify for are insufficient to cover your living expenses, there may be other assistance programs available, such as state or local government aid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.