The monthly payment amount depends on your work history, not your diagnosis

Social Security does not pay a set amount for depression. Instead, SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) calculates your monthly payment based on your lifetime earnings record—the same way it would if you were retiring at full retirement age. Depression is the medical condition that may make you may be able to access; your earnings history determines how much you receive each month.

The average SSDI payment in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but this varies widely. Someone who worked steadily at higher wages will receive more than someone who worked part-time or had lower earnings. If you have never worked or worked very little, you may not may have access to for SSDI at all—you might instead be directed toward SSI (Supplemental Security Income), which is a different program with different payment rules.

To find out what your specific payment would be, you can create a my Social Security account online and view your earnings record. This shows you the exact amount Social Security has on file for your work history. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask what your estimated payment would be if you were approved today.

Key Takeaways

  • Your SSDI payment is based on your earnings history, not on the severity of your depression or any other medical condition.
  • The average monthly payment is around $1,550, but yours could be significantly higher or lower depending on how much you earned while working.
  • You can see your estimated payment amount by logging into my Social Security or calling 1-800-772-1213.
  • If you have not worked much or at all, you may not may have access to for SSDI but might be able to receive SSI instead, which has different payment amounts and rules.
  • Once approved, your payment amount stays the same each year unless Social Security adjusts all payments for inflation (called a cost-of-living adjustment).

How Social Security calculates your payment

Social Security looks at your 35 highest-earning years of work. It averages those earnings, adjusts them for inflation, and then applies a formula to arrive at your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)—the official name for your monthly benefit. The formula is designed so that people who earned more during their working years receive higher payments.

You do not need to have worked 35 years to receive SSDI. If you have fewer years of earnings, Social Security counts the missing years as zero, which lowers your average. Someone who worked 20 years will have a lower payment than someone who worked 35 years at the same wage, because the formula includes 15 zeros.

Your depression diagnosis itself does not change this calculation. Whether your condition is mild, moderate, or severe, the payment formula remains the same. What matters for approval is whether your depression prevents you from working—not how much you earn if approved.

What happens to your payment if you return to work

If you are approved for SSDI and later return to work, your payment does not disappear when ready. Social Security has a trial work period that lasts nine months. During these nine months, you can earn any amount and still receive your full SSDI payment. This is designed to let you test whether you can work without losing your benefit.

After the trial work period ends, Social Security looks at your monthly earnings. If you earn more than the current substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit—which changes each year but is usually around $1,550 per month—your payment stops. If your earnings drop below that limit, your payment resumes. This rule applies regardless of your diagnosis.

If you stop working again and your depression worsens, you can request that your benefits resume. You do not have to reapply from scratch, but you do have to show that you are no longer able to work.

SSI payments if you have not worked enough

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a separate program for people with disabilities who have little or no work history. The payment amount is set by federal law and is the same for everyone, regardless of past earnings. In 2024, the federal SSI payment is $943 per month for an individual, though some states add extra money on top of this.

To receive SSI, you must have limited income and resources (usually less than $2,000 in savings). You also must be a U.S. citizen or certain categories of immigrant. Unlike SSDI, which is based on your work record, SSI is based on financial need.

If you are unsure whether you may have access to for SSDI or SSI, Social Security will determine this when you explore. You do not choose between them—the agency decides based on your work history and financial situation.

Cost-of-living adjustments and how your payment can change

Once you are approved, your monthly payment is not locked in forever. Each year, Social Security adjusts all benefit payments for inflation through a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). In recent years, these adjustments have ranged from less than 1% to over 8%, depending on inflation rates.

Your payment can also change if you report a change in your situation—for example, if you marry, have a child, or your living arrangement changes. Some of these changes affect your payment directly; others do not. If you are unsure whether something you experience should be reported, contact Social Security rather than assuming.

Your payment will not increase because your depression gets worse or decreases because it improves. Once the amount is set, it only changes for the reasons listed above.

How to find your estimated payment before you explore

The most accurate way to see what you might receive is to create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount. Once you log in, you can view your complete earnings record and see an estimate of what your SSDI payment would be if you were approved today. This estimate is based on your actual work history and is updated each year.

If you do not have an online account, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). A representative can tell you your estimated payment over the phone. You will need to provide your Social Security number and date of birth. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or later in the week.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Find the nearest office at ssa.gov/locator. Bring your Social Security card and a photo ID.

What your payment covers and what it does not

Your SSDI or SSI payment is meant to cover basic living expenses: rent, food, utilities, and other necessities. The amount is not designed to be generous, and many people find it difficult to live on SSDI alone. Some people work part-time jobs or receive help from family members to cover additional costs.

Your SSDI or SSI payment does not cover medical expenses directly. However, once you receive SSDI for 24 months, you become may be able to access for Medicare, the federal health insurance program. If you receive SSI, you may be may be able to access for Medicaid, which varies by state. Both programs help pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications.

If you need mental health treatment for your depression, ask your doctor or local health department about low-cost or free clinics in your area. Many communities have sliding-scale mental health services that charge based on what you can afford.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a higher payment if my depression is severe?

No. The severity of your depression affects whether you are approved, not how much you receive. Your payment amount is determined solely by your work history. Two people with equally severe depression who worked different amounts will receive different payments.

What if I worked for many years but at very low wages?

Your payment will be lower than someone who earned higher wages, because Social Security averages your actual earnings. However, you still may receive more through SSDI than through SSI if you have enough work credits, even if your wages were low. Call Social Security to compare what you might receive under each program.

Do I have to have worked recently to get SSDI?

No, but you do need to have earned enough work credits within a certain time frame. For depression or other conditions that begin before age 31, you generally need 20 work credits earned in the 10 years before you became unable to work. For conditions that begin later, the requirement is different. Social Security will tell you whether you meet this requirement when you explore.

If I am approved, will my payment go up if I wait longer to explore?

No. Your payment is based on your earnings record at the time you explore, not on how long you wait. Waiting does not increase your SSDI amount. However, waiting may affect other benefits—for example, if you have dependents, they may receive payments sooner if you explore sooner. There is no financial advantage to delaying.

What happens to my payment if I move to a different state?

Your SSDI payment stays the same no matter where you live in the United States. If you receive SSI, your payment may change because some states add money on top of the federal amount. If you are moving and receive SSI, contact Social Security before you move to find out whether your payment will change.