How Much Social Security Disability Benefits Can You Get?

You might qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you can prove you have a medical disability that meets the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) qualifying criteria. And you must meet the SSA’s non-medical criteria—including working long enough and recently enough to receive SSDI benefits. But how much SSDI income can you get?

How Much Social Security Disability Income Can You Get?

The amount of your social security disability benefits you will receive is based on several factors, including:

• Covered earnings – The average amount of income on which you paid Social Security taxes before you became disabled. Covered earnings are also known as average indexed monthly earnings (AIME).
• Other disability income – If you are receiving government-regulated disability benefits from other sources, they can affect your SSDI benefits.
  • SSI and VA benefits will not affect your SSDI benefits
  • The total of your SSDI and other government-regulated disability benefits cannot be more than 80% of your average income before you became disabled
• SSA calculation – The Social Security Administration has a complex calculation to determine the benefit amount for each person.

How Are Social Security Disability Benefits Calculated?

The SSA calculates your social security disability benefits by using your average indexed monthly earnings to determine your primary insurance amount (PIA).

The PIA calculation includes these steps:

• Separating your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) into three portions
• Multiplying each portion by a specific percentage
• Adding the amounts together

2021 SSDI calculation example

Three portions of your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME)

For the year 2021, the Social Security Administration begins your SSDI benefits calculation by separating your AIME into three portions:

1. The first $996 (portion 1)
2. The amount between $996 and $6,002 (portion 2)
3. The amount over $6,002 (portion 3)

Percentages

The SSA calculates a percentage for each AIME portion:

1. 90 percent of the first $996 (portion 1)
2. 32 percent of the amount between $996 and $6,002 (portion 2)
3. 15 percent of the amount over $6,002 (portion 3)

Sum

The sum of the above percentages is the primary insurance amount (PIA). It helps the SSA determine the amount of your social security disability benefits. But each year, the SSA sets a maximum monthly benefit that anyone can receive.

You can create an account on the SSA website to see your social security earnings history. And you can use the SSA’s online calculator to estimate your benefits.

 When Do Your SSDI Benefits Begin?

The Social Security Administration states that after they approve your application, your SSDI benefits will begin after a five-month waiting period. But you will not have a waiting period if your disability results from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

More about SSDI payments

• First payment coverage period – Your first payment will be for the sixth full month of your disability.
• When payments are issued – The SSA pays benefits in the month following an entire month of disability.
• SSDI backpay – SSDI payments are retroactive for a maximum of 12 months before your application date or protective filing date. You cannot receive SSDI payments for the time before your established onset date (EOD)—the date the SSA determined you became disabled.

What Is an SSDI Protective Filing Date?

An SSDI protective filing date is a notice to the Social Security Administration of your intention to file for SSDI. You can establish a protective filing date in either of these ways:

• You can send a written statement to the SSDI that you intend to file for SSDI.
• You can begin an online SSDI application, even if you do not complete it.

Read our post, When Should I Apply for SSDI?, for details.

Request an SSDI Lawyer Consultation

It takes a lot to understand how to navigate an SSDI application or appeal. And more than 60 percent of claims are denied each year. In Raleigh, Attorney Lisa Wogwu understands SSDI law and will make the process easier for you. Contact us to schedule a phone or virtual consultation.