By If a disability prevents you from working, disability benefits could be a financial lifeline. The Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance programs from the federal government provide monthly payments and medical benefits for people who meet the eligibility requirements.
Each program has different eligibility requirements. They also differ in the amount of money you receive each month. Here is a look at Social Security disability benefits through the SSI and SSDI programs to give you a better understanding of the options you have available.
Qualifying Guidelines for SSDI Benefits
The SSDI program is for people with work records that are long enough and recent enough to meet the requirements to qualify for SSDI benefits. You must have contributed to the Social Security system through payroll taxes on the earnings from working at jobs or through self-employment.
Qualifying for benefits through the SSDI also requires that you have a disability as defined by federal regulations. A person is disabled if they have a medically determinable mental or physical impairment or combination of impairments that makes them unable to engage in substantial gainful activity. The impairment or impairments must have lasted or be expected to last for at least one year or result in the person’s death.
How Much Does SSDI Pay?
If you qualify for Disability benefits, the monthly payment you receive is calculated using a formula based, in part, on your lifetime earnings. It’s complicated, but it means that the more you earn from working and pay Social Security taxes on during your working career, the more you receive each month in SSDI benefits.
The Social Security Administration reports the average monthly payment to workers eligible for SSDI benefits in 2024 is $1,537. An annual cap on earnings subject to payment of Social Security taxes means that the maximum monthly benefit a person on SSDI could receive is $3,822.
Eligibility for SSI Benefits
The SSI program provides people with low income and limited resources a monthly benefit payment to purchase food and pay for shelter. Resources available to applicants cannot exceed a total value of $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for married couples.
Adults applying for SSI who cannot work must be blind or have a disability that meets the same definition as used to evaluate people applying for SSDI benefits. A person who is at least 65 years of age may qualify for SSI provided they satisfy the financial requirements by having limited income and resources.
How Much Can You Make On SSI?
The 2024 maximum federal monthly SSI benefit payment is $943 for an individual and $1,415 for a married couple where both spouses are eligible. Most states supplement the federal payment with a state-funded payment, so your monthly SSI benefits could be more than the federal amount.
Your monthly payment may be less than the maximum federal benefit if you have income from sources other than SSI benefits. For example, if you have a part-time job and earn $775, some of what you earn reduces the SSI payment. However, some earned and unearned income may not be countable.
For example, if you earn $775 in a month, you are allowed to exclude the following:
- The first $65 earned income may be excluded, leaving a balance of $710.
- You may exclude $20 of unearned income and use the exclusion toward earned income if you did not already use it. That reduces the earned income to $690.
- One-half of earned income after deducting the two exclusions does not count as income, leaving only $345 as countable income.
The $345 will reduce your federal monthly SSI benefits from $943 to $598.
How Can a Disability Advocate Help with SSD Benefits?
Disability advocates are on your side, ensuring that you get all of the SSD benefits that you’re entitled to receive. Learn more about disability benefits by scheduling a free consultation with a disability advocate.
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