What you receive each month in North Carolina

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays a monthly amount based on your own work history and earnings record, not on where you live. North Carolina does not set the payment amount — the federal Social Security Administration does. Your payment depends on how much you earned during your working years, not on your medical condition or your state.

The average SSDI payment across the United States in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but individual payments range widely. Someone who worked part-time or took time out of the workforce may receive $800 to $1,200 monthly. Someone with a long, steady work history at higher wages may receive $2,000 to $3,800 monthly. The only way to know your specific amount is to check your own Social Security record.

North Carolina also has a separate state program called Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a needs-based program for people with very low income and resources. SSI payments are the same across most states — the federal base amount in 2024 is $943 per month for an individual — though North Carolina may add a small state supplement on top. You cannot receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time, though you may be found to have a right to both and receive the higher amount.

Key Takeaways

  • Your SSDI payment is based on your own earnings history, not on your medical condition or your state of residence.
  • The average SSDI payment is around $1,550 per month, but yours could be lower or higher depending on how much you earned while working.
  • You can find your estimated payment amount by creating a my Social Security account online or calling Social Security directly.
  • North Carolina residents may also be found to have a right to SSI, a separate needs-based program, if their income and resources are very low.
  • Once you start receiving SSDI, your payment amount stays the same each year unless Social Security announces a cost-of-living adjustment.

How to find out what you would receive

The fastest way is to create a free account at ssa.gov and view your Social Security Statement. This statement shows your earnings record year by year and gives you an estimate of what you would receive if you became disabled today. You do not need to be explore yet — this is just information about your own record.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Have your Social Security number ready. A representative can tell you your estimated payment amount over the phone. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or on Wednesdays through Fridays.

Your estimate will be lower if you have not worked for several years, because Social Security counts your highest 35 years of earnings. If you took time out to raise children, care for a family member, or attend school, those years count as zero in the calculation. Going back to work, even part-time, can raise your future payment amount.

How payments change over time

Once you start receiving SSDI, your payment amount does not change unless Social Security announces a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This adjustment happens once per year, usually in October, and is based on inflation. In recent years, adjustments have ranged from 0% to 8.7%, but there is no may provide of an increase in any given year.

Your payment can also change if you return to work and earn above a certain threshold. In 2024, if you earn more than $1,550 per month, Social Security may reduce or stop your payment. There is a trial work period that lets you test returning to work without losing benefits when ready, but the rules are complex and depend on your specific situation.

If you have a spouse or children who are also receiving benefits on your record, their payments are separate from yours and are calculated differently. A spouse may receive up to 32.5% of your payment amount, and each child may receive up to 75% of your amount, but there is a family maximum — the total paid to your whole family cannot exceed 150% to 180% of your own payment.

What counts as income for SSI in North Carolina

If you are found to have a right to SSI instead of or in addition to SSDI, the payment amount depends on your income and resources. SSI has strict limits: you can have no more than $2,000 in countable resources (such as savings or a vehicle) as an individual, or $3,000 as a couple. Your home and one vehicle do not count toward this limit.

Income is counted differently. The first $65 of earned income per month and the first $20 of any income do not count. After that, half of earned income counts against your SSI payment. Unearned income (such as child support, gifts, or other benefits) counts dollar for dollar after the $20 exclusion. If your income is high enough, you may not receive any SSI payment at all, even if you are found to have a right to it.

North Carolina does not add a state supplement to the federal SSI payment, so the amount you receive is the federal base amount minus any income you have. Some people receive both SSDI (based on their work record) and a small SSI payment (based on their low income), though this is less common.

Other money you might receive alongside SSDI

If you are receiving SSDI and you have a spouse or children, they may be able to receive their own payments on your record. A spouse who is at least 62 years old, or any age if caring for a child under 16, can receive a spouse's benefit. Each of your children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school) can receive a child's benefit. These payments are separate from yours and do not reduce your own amount.

You may also be receiving other income at the same time as SSDI — such as a pension from a job where you did not pay Social Security taxes, workers' compensation, or unemployment benefits. Some of these can affect your SSDI payment, while others do not. The rules vary depending on the type of income, so it is worth asking Social Security directly if you have other income.

If you are a veteran, you may also be receiving Veterans Benefits. SSDI and VA benefits do not affect each other — you can receive both at the same time without either one being reduced.

Why your payment might be different from someone else's

Two people with the same medical condition can receive very different SSDI payments because the amount is based entirely on work history, not on the severity of the condition. Someone who worked for 40 years at high wages will receive a much larger payment than someone who worked for 15 years at lower wages, even if both are unable to work now.

Age also matters. If you became disabled before age 22, you may receive a reduced payment because you have fewer years of earnings to count. If you became disabled at age 60 or later, you may receive a higher payment because you have more years of work history. Social Security always uses your highest 35 years of earnings, so gaps in your work record lower your payment.

The type of work you did does not matter — SSDI does not pay more for certain jobs or industries. What matters is how much you earned in Social Security-covered employment. Self-employment income counts the same as wages, as long as you reported it to Social Security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does North Carolina pay more or less SSDI than other states?

No. SSDI payments are the same in every state because they are based on your federal earnings record, not on your state. Your payment would be identical if you moved to another state. North Carolina does not add or subtract anything from the federal amount.

Can I get a larger payment if I wait to explore?

No. Your SSDI payment is based on your earnings record up to the month you explore, not on how long you wait. Waiting does not increase the amount. However, if you return to work and earn more money before you explore, that could raise your payment by increasing your average earnings.

What happens to my payment if I move out of North Carolina?

Your SSDI payment stays the same. You can live anywhere in the United States or abroad and continue to receive SSDI. Some countries have restrictions, so if you plan to move outside the U.S., contact Social Security first to make sure your payments can continue.

Is there a maximum amount SSDI will pay?

Yes. The highest SSDI payment in 2024 is around $3,822 per month for someone with the highest possible earnings record. However, most people receive less. There is no way to receive more than the maximum, even if you had very high earnings.

Do I have to pay taxes on my SSDI payment?

You may have to pay federal income tax on part of your SSDI payment if your total income is above a certain threshold. This depends on your other income and filing status. Social Security can tell you whether your specific situation requires taxes, and they send a form each year showing how much you received.