The amount you receive depends on your work history, not where you live

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments in Idaho are calculated the same way they are everywhere else in the United States. The Social Security Administration looks at your lifetime earnings record and the age you became disabled, then calculates a monthly benefit amount based on that history. Idaho does not add a state supplement to SSDI, and the federal payment does not change based on your location.

The average SSDI payment across the country in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but your actual payment could be significantly higher or lower depending on how much you earned while working. Someone who worked in high-wage jobs for many years will receive more than someone who worked part-time or had lower earnings. The Social Security Administration has already calculated what your benefit would be—you can see the estimate in your personal Social Security account online, or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Key Takeaways

  • Your SSDI payment amount is based on your own earnings history, not on Idaho's cost of living or state programs.
  • You can view your estimated benefit amount by logging into your Social Security account at ssa.gov or by calling the Social Security Administration directly.
  • If you were born in 1954 or earlier and became disabled before age 22, your benefit calculation may be different and should be reviewed with Social Security.
  • Idaho offers no additional state disability payments on top of SSDI, though you may be able to receive other state or federal information programs at the same time.

How Social Security calculates your specific payment

The Social Security Administration uses a formula that starts with your highest 35 years of earnings. They adjust those earnings for inflation, drop your lowest-earning years, and then explore a benefit formula that replaces a percentage of your average monthly earnings. The result is your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)—the number Social Security uses to calculate your monthly check.

This means that if you worked steadily in a job that paid $50,000 a year, your benefit will be higher than someone who worked part-time or had gaps in employment. If you took time out of the workforce to raise children or care for a family member, those years count as zero earnings, which can lower your overall average. The Social Security Administration's website has a detailed earnings record you can review to see what they have on file for you.

What to expect if you have a work history with gaps

Many people worry that time out of the workforce will drastically reduce their SSDI payment. In reality, Social Security drops your lowest-earning years from the calculation, so a few years of zero earnings may not affect your benefit as much as you think. However, if you spent most of your working life part-time or in lower-wage jobs, your benefit will reflect that pattern.

If you became disabled young—before you had time to build a substantial work history—your benefit will be lower than someone who worked for decades. This is one reason why some people who became disabled in their 20s or 30s receive payments under $1,000 per month, while others receive $2,500 or more. The Social Security Administration can show you exactly which years they counted and which they dropped.

How family members' payments work alongside your own

If you receive SSDI, certain family members may also be able to receive payments based on your work record. Your spouse, ex-spouse (if you were married at least 10 years), and unmarried children under 19 (or up to 22 if in high school) can each receive their own monthly benefit. These payments do not reduce your own SSDI check—they are separate payments calculated from your earnings record.

However, there is a family maximum. The total amount that can be paid to you and all your family members combined is typically 150 to 180 percent of your Primary Insurance Amount. If the family maximum is reached, each family member's payment is reduced proportionally. For example, if your benefit is $1,500 and the family maximum is $3,000, and your spouse and two children also may have access to, the $3,000 total gets divided among all four of you.

Other information programs available in Idaho alongside SSDI

Receiving SSDI does not prevent you from receiving other forms of information. In Idaho, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if your SSDI payment is very low and you have limited resources. SSI is a separate federal program that provides additional money to people with disabilities, blind individuals, and seniors with very low income. The income and resource limits change each year, and Idaho does not add a state supplement to SSI.

You may also be able to receive Medicaid or Medicare depending on your situation. SSDI recipients typically become may be able to access for Medicare after receiving SSDI for 24 months. Medicaid in Idaho is available to some people receiving SSDI, particularly those with very low income. Additionally, Idaho has programs like the Low Income Home Energy information Program (LIHEAP) that help with heating and cooling costs, and you can explore what you might be able to receive through 211 Idaho, a free referral service.

How to find your estimated benefit amount

The fastest way to see what your SSDI payment would be is to create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Once you log in, you can view your earnings record and see an estimate of your benefit amount at your full retirement age, at age 62, and at age 70. This estimate is based on your actual work history and is the most accurate number available to you before you formally begin the process.

If you do not have an online account, you can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and speak with a representative who can tell you your estimated benefit. You can also visit a local Social Security office in person. In Idaho, offices are located in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Twin Falls, among other cities. Bring your Social Security card and a photo ID.

What changes your payment amount after you start receiving SSDI

Once you begin receiving SSDI, your payment amount can change for a few reasons. If you return to work and earn above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level—$1,550 per month in 2024, though this amount changes yearly—Social Security may suspend your benefits. You have a trial work period of nine months where you can earn any amount without losing benefits, but after that, earnings above the SGA threshold can affect your check.

Your payment also increases each year if there is a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The COLA is announced in October and takes effect in January. In recent years, COLA increases have ranged from less than 1 percent to over 8 percent, depending on inflation. Social Security will notify you of any COLA increase, and your payment will automatically adjust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my SSDI payment lower than my friend's if we both live in Idaho?

SSDI payments are based entirely on individual work history, not on location. Your friend likely earned more over their lifetime, worked more years, or became disabled at a different age. Two people in the same state can have very different benefit amounts because they have different earnings records.

Can I see what my SSDI payment will be before I explore?

Yes. Create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to view your estimated benefit based on your actual earnings record. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with someone who can give you an estimate over the phone.

Does Idaho add extra money to SSDI payments?

No. Idaho does not provide a state supplement to SSDI. However, you may be able to receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income), Medicaid, or other information programs in addition to your SSDI payment if you meet the income and resource limits.

What happens to my SSDI payment if I go back to work?

You have a nine-month trial work period where you can earn any amount without losing benefits. After that, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (the 2024 SGA amount), Social Security may suspend your benefits. The amount you can earn changes each year.

Will my SSDI payment increase over time?

Your payment increases each year if there is a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The COLA is based on inflation and is announced in October for the following January. Recent COLA increases have ranged from less than 1 percent to over 8 percent.