The two main disability programs and what they pay
Social Security runs two separate disability programs, and they pay different amounts to different people. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays based on your own work history and the taxes you paid into Social Security. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays based on financial need, not work history. Most people receive one or the other, not both.
Your monthly payment depends on which program you're in. SSDI payments are tied to your lifetime earnings record—the higher your average earnings were before you became unable to work, the higher your monthly check. SSI payments are the same for everyone in your state (with small variations), but they're lower than most SSDI payments because SSI is a needs-based program.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your exact amount once your case is approved. You won't know the number until then, but you can get an estimate before you explore by creating a my Social Security account online or calling 1-800-772-1213.
Key Takeaways
- SSDI payments are based on your work history and earnings, while SSI payments are based on financial need and are the same for all recipients in your state.
- Your SSDI amount depends on how much you earned before you became unable to work, so higher earners receive higher monthly payments.
- SSI payments are lower than most SSDI payments because the program is designed for people with little income or savings.
- You can estimate your payment amount before you explore by checking your my Social Security account or calling the Social Security Administration.
- Once approved, your payment begins the following month, and you receive the same amount each month unless your circumstances change.
How SSDI calculates your monthly payment
The Social Security Administration uses a formula based on your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is calculated from your highest 35 years of earnings. The SSA adjusts these earnings for inflation, adds them up, divides by the number of months, and then applies a benefit formula that replaces a higher percentage of lower earnings and a lower percentage of higher earnings.
This means two people with very different work histories will receive very different payments. Someone who worked full-time for 40 years at high wages will receive more than someone who worked part-time or had lower wages, even if both are the same age and have the same condition.
If you have fewer than 35 years of work history, the SSA counts the missing years as zero, which lowers your average. This is why people who took time out for caregiving, education, or unemployment may receive lower SSDI payments than their earnings alone would suggest.
How SSI payments work and what they depend on
SSI is a federal program that pays a set amount each month, adjusted yearly for inflation. In 2024, the federal payment is $943 per month for an individual, though this number changes each January. Some states add money on top of the federal amount, so your total SSI payment may be higher depending on where you live.
Your SSI payment can be reduced if you have other income—such as part-time work, unemployment benefits, or family support—or if you own resources above the limit. The SSA counts most income dollar-for-dollar against your SSI payment, though the first $65 of monthly earnings and half of earnings above that are not counted.
SSI also has strict resource limits: you can own no more than $2,000 in countable resources as an individual (or $3,000 if you're married). A house you live in and one car do not count toward this limit, but savings, investments, and other property do.
When you receive your first payment and ongoing monthly amounts
Once the SSA approves your case, your first payment arrives the month after approval. If you're approved in March, your first check comes in April. Payments arrive on the same day each month—usually the third, fourth, or fifth of the month depending on your birth date.
Your monthly amount stays the same unless something changes in your life. If you return to work and earn above the limit, your payment may be reduced or stop. If you receive a lump sum (such as an inheritance or lawsuit settlement), your SSI payment may be affected. If you get married or move to a different state (for SSI), your payment may change.
The SSA sends you a notice whenever your payment changes. You can check your current payment amount anytime by logging into your my Social Security account or calling 1-800-772-1213.
SSDI family payments and how they affect your amount
If you receive SSDI, your spouse and children may also receive payments based on your work record. These are called family benefits, and they don't reduce your own payment—the SSA pays them separately. However, there is a family maximum: the total amount paid to you and all family members combined cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of your Primary Insurance Amount.
If your family members' benefits would exceed the family maximum, each person's payment is reduced proportionally. For example, if you receive $1,500 per month and your two children would each receive $750, but the family maximum is $2,400, each child's payment would be reduced to $450 so the total is $2,400.
Family members must meet certain conditions to receive benefits: a spouse must be at least 62 years old (or any age if caring for a child under 16), and children must be under 19 (or 19 if still in high school full-time). Adult children who became disabled before age 22 can receive benefits for life.
Differences between SSDI and SSI payment amounts
SSDI payments are typically higher than SSI payments because they're based on your work history and contributions. The average SSDI payment in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, though this varies widely depending on your earnings history. SSI payments are lower—the federal base is $943 per month—because they're designed as a safety net for people with little income or savings.
However, some people with very low earnings histories receive SSDI payments that are close to or lower than the SSI federal rate. In these cases, a person might be better off on SSI if their state adds a supplement or if they have dependents who could receive family benefits on their SSDI record.
The choice between SSDI and SSI is not always yours to make. If you have enough work history, you must take SSDI. If you don't have enough work history, you can only receive SSI. Some people receive both programs at once—a small SSDI payment topped up with SSI to reach the SSI federal rate.
What affects your payment after you're approved
Your disability payment can change if you work and earn above the limit, if your living situation changes, if you receive other income, or if you move to a different state (for SSI). SSDI has a higher earnings limit than SSI: in 2024, you can earn up to $1,550 per month on SSDI without your benefits stopping, though they'll be reduced if you earn more. SSI has a much lower limit—the first $65 of monthly earnings don't count, but earnings above that reduce your payment dollar-for-dollar.
If you receive SSI and your income or resources change, you must report it to the SSA within 10 days. If you receive SSDI and you return to work, you should report your earnings. Failing to report changes can result in overpayments that you'll have to repay.
The SSA also reviews your case periodically to make sure you still meet the definition of disability. If your condition improves or your circumstances change, your benefits may stop. You'll receive notice before any change happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an estimate of my payment before I explore?
Yes. Create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov and view your earnings record and estimated benefits. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 and ask the representative to estimate your SSDI payment based on your work history. For SSI, the amount is the same for everyone in your state unless you have other income.
What if I worked in another country—does that count toward my SSDI?
Work in another country counts only if that country has a Social Security agreement with the United States. The SSA can tell you whether your country has an agreement. If it does, you may be able to count those earnings toward your SSDI record.
Do I have to pay taxes on my disability payment?
SSDI and SSI payments are not taxable income for federal tax purposes. However, if you have other income (such as wages or investment income), part of your disability payment may become taxable. The SSA sends you a form each year showing how much you received.
What happens to my payment if I get married?
For SSDI, marriage does not change your payment. Your spouse may become may be able to access for family benefits on your record if they meet the age or caregiving requirements. For SSI, marriage changes your resource limit to $3,000 and may affect your payment if your spouse has income or resources.
Can my payment increase if my condition gets worse?
For SSDI, your payment amount does not change based on how severe your condition is—it's based on your work history. However, if you were approved at a younger age and now may have access to for retirement benefits, your payment may increase. For SSI, your payment stays the same unless your income or resources change.