What the monthly payment amount depends on

The amount you receive each month from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not set by your diagnosis. Instead, it depends on your work history, age, and which program you're receiving from. Two people with autism may receive very different monthly amounts, even if their symptoms are equally severe.

For SSDI, your payment is based on your own earnings record — how much you paid into Social Security through payroll taxes before you became unable to work. The Social Security Administration calculates this as a percentage of what you would have earned at full retirement age. For SSI, the payment is based on a federal base amount that changes each year, reduced by any other income you have.

Neither program pays more or less because of autism specifically. The diagnosis matters only to prove you cannot work; the payment amount is determined by the financial factors above.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI payments are based on your own work history and earnings record, not on your diagnosis or how severe your autism is.
  • SSI payments are based on a federal base amount (which varies by year) minus any other income you receive.
  • Two people with the same autism diagnosis can receive very different monthly amounts depending on their work history or household income.
  • The Social Security Administration publishes the current SSI federal base amount on its website each January.
  • Your state may add a supplement to the federal SSI amount, which means the total varies by where you live.

SSDI payments and your work history

If you worked before becoming unable to work due to autism, your SSDI payment is calculated from your Social Security earnings record. The Social Security Administration looks at your highest 35 years of earnings (or fewer if you have not worked that long), drops the lowest years, and calculates an average. Your monthly payment is roughly 40 percent of that average, though the exact percentage depends on your age when you became unable to work.

Someone who worked full-time for 20 years will receive a higher SSDI payment than someone who worked part-time for 5 years, even if both have autism and both are unable to work now. The program is designed this way because SSDI is insurance based on your own contributions.

If you never worked or worked very little, you may not have enough earnings history to receive SSDI. In that case, you would look into SSI instead, which does not require a work history.

SSI payments and the federal base amount

SSI is a needs-based program, not an insurance program. The federal government sets a base monthly amount each year. In 2024, the federal base for an individual was $943 per month, but this number changes annually. You can find the current year's amount on the Social Security Administration's website.

Your actual SSI payment is the federal base amount minus any other income you receive. If you have a job that pays $200 a month, your SSI payment would be reduced by roughly $165 (because SSI allows you to keep some work earnings without a full reduction). If you receive other benefits, such as unemployment or a pension, those also reduce your SSI payment.

Your household's resources also matter for SSI. If you or your spouse have more than $2,000 in countable resources (savings, investments, and certain other assets), you become ineligible for SSI. The resource limit is higher for couples.

State supplements to SSI

Some states add their own money to the federal SSI base amount. These state supplements range from a few dollars to over $100 per month, depending on the state. If you live in California, New York, or several other states, your total SSI payment will be higher than the federal base amount alone.

Other states do not offer a supplement. If you move to a different state, your SSI payment may change. You can contact your local Social Security office or the Social Security Administration's website to find out whether your state offers a supplement and how much it is.

How to find out what you might receive

The Social Security Administration does not publish a calculator that estimates your specific SSDI or SSI amount before you explore. However, you can create a my Social Security account online to see your own earnings record, which gives you a rough idea of what your SSDI payment might be.

For SSI, you can look up the current federal base amount and your state's supplement (if any) on the Social Security Administration's website. Subtract any income you currently have to get a rough estimate. Keep in mind that once you are approved, your actual payment may differ based on how the Social Security Administration counts your specific income and resources.

The most accurate way to learn what you might receive is to speak with a Social Security representative. You can call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office in person.

Changes to your payment over time

Once you are receiving SSDI or SSI, your payment amount is not fixed forever. SSDI payments increase each year by a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which is announced in October and takes effect in January. SSI payments also receive the same COLA increase.

Your payment can also change if your circumstances change. If you return to work and earn above the substantial gainful activity level (the income threshold that defines whether you can work), your SSDI may be suspended or terminated. If your income or resources change, your SSI payment will be recalculated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does autism severity affect how much I receive?

No. The severity of your autism does not change the payment amount. The diagnosis must show you cannot work, but the payment itself depends only on your work history (for SSDI) or the federal base amount and your other income (for SSI).

Can I receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time?

In rare cases, yes. If your SSDI payment is very low, you may receive a small SSI supplement. Most people receive one or the other, not both. A Social Security representative can tell you whether you might be may be able to access for both.

What if I worked but only part-time?

Your SSDI payment is still based on your actual earnings record, even if you worked part-time. The calculation uses your average earnings over your highest 35 years of work, so part-time work counts as part of that average.

Does my parents' income affect my SSI payment if I'm an adult?

No. Once you are 18, your parents' income does not count toward your SSI may be able to access or payment amount. Only your own income and resources matter. If you are under 18, parental income and resources do affect your SSI.

Will my payment increase if I move to a state with a higher SSI supplement?

Yes, if you move to a state with a higher supplement, your SSI payment will increase once the state processes the change. Contact your local Social Security office to report your move so the change takes effect promptly.