The lowest SSDI payment in 2023 was $914 per month

The Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) — the baseline payment amount for Social Security Disability Insurance — was $914 per month in 2023. This is the minimum you would receive if you had no other income and no family members collecting on your record. The actual lowest payment someone received could be lower if they had substantial work earnings or other Social Security income being withheld, but $914 is the floor set by federal policy.

This amount changes once per year, in January, based on the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The 2023 figure represented an 8.7% increase from 2022, which was itself a historic jump. The 2024 COLA raised the FBR to $943 per month. These annual adjustments are automatic and tied to inflation data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in October of the prior year.

Key Takeaways

  • The Federal Benefit Rate of $914 per month in 2023 is the baseline payment; your actual amount depends on your work history and whether family members collect on your record.
  • SSDI payments increase automatically each January based on inflation, so the 2023 minimum is not the same as 2024 or 2025.
  • Your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) — calculated from your actual earnings record — determines whether you receive the FBR or a different amount.
  • Substantial work earnings can reduce your payment below the FBR, and some beneficiaries receive less than the published minimum due to family benefit rules or deemed income.

How the Federal Benefit Rate connects to your actual payment

The $914 figure is not a payment you automatically receive. Instead, it is the maximum payment for someone with no other income and no dependents. Your actual SSDI payment is based on your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which Social Security calculates from your lifetime earnings record. If your PIA is lower than the FBR — which happens when your work history shows lower average earnings — your payment will be lower than $914.

For example, someone who worked part-time for many years might have a PIA of $750 per month. That person would receive $750, not $914, because their earnings record does not support a higher amount. Conversely, someone with a strong 35-year work history at higher wages might have a PIA of $1,200 or more, which would be their payment regardless of the FBR.

Social Security sends you a Social Security Statement that shows your estimated PIA before you file. You can also create a my Social Security account online to view this figure. Knowing your PIA before you file helps you understand what payment to expect.

Why some beneficiaries receive less than the Federal Benefit Rate

Even if your PIA is $914 or higher, your actual payment can be reduced in several ways. If you have substantial work earnings — meaning you are still working and earning above a certain threshold — Social Security may withhold part or all of your benefit. In 2023, if you were under full retirement age and working, Social Security withheld $1 in benefits for every $2 you earned above $21,960 per year. This is called the Earnings Test.

Family members collecting on your record can also affect your payment. If you have a spouse or children receiving benefits based on your work history, Social Security divides your benefit amount among all of you. This is called the Family Maximum. The family maximum is typically 150% to 180% of your PIA, depending on how many dependents are on your record. If the total family benefits would exceed this cap, everyone's payment is reduced proportionally.

Additionally, if you received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) before your SSDI began, or if you are receiving both SSDI and SSI at the same time, your SSDI payment may be reduced through a process called deemed income. This is less common but does occur in some cases.

How COLA adjustments work and why they matter

The Cost of Living Adjustment happens automatically every January and affects all SSDI beneficiaries at the same time. Social Security calculates COLA using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The percentage increase from the third quarter of one year to the third quarter of the next year becomes the COLA for the following January.

In 2023, the COLA was 8.7%, which was the largest increase in four decades. This meant the FBR jumped from $841 in January 2022 to $914 in January 2023. In 2024, the COLA was 3.2%, a more typical adjustment. Your individual payment increases by the same percentage as the FBR, so if you received $750 in December 2022, you received approximately $815 in January 2023 (an 8.7% increase).

You do not have to do anything to receive the COLA increase. Social Security applies it automatically to your account. You will see the new amount in your January payment and in your benefit statement.

What the minimum payment means for your budget

If your SSDI payment is at or near the Federal Benefit Rate, you are receiving the lowest amount Social Security pays to disabled workers. In 2023, $914 per month was below the federal poverty line for an individual, which was $1,097 per month. This means many SSDI beneficiaries with minimum payments live below the poverty threshold.

If your payment is this low, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at the same time. SSI is a needs-based program that tops up your SSDI payment if you have limited resources and income. The SSI payment amount varies by state, but in 2023 the federal base rate was $914 per month — the same as the SSDI FBR. Some states add money on top of the federal amount. To learn whether you may have access to for SSI, you can contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213.

You may also be able to work part-time under SSDI work incentives without losing your entire benefit. The Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) and the Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) deduction allow you to exclude certain earnings from the Earnings Test calculation. A work incentives planning counselor can help you understand how much you can earn without affecting your payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does everyone on SSDI receive at least $914 per month?

No. The $914 is the Federal Benefit Rate, which is the maximum for someone with no other income. Your actual payment depends on your work history. If your Primary Insurance Amount is lower, your payment will be lower. Some beneficiaries receive $600 or $700 per month based on their earnings record.

Will the minimum payment increase in 2024?

Yes. The 2024 COLA was 3.2%, which raised the Federal Benefit Rate to $943 per month. Every beneficiary's payment increased by 3.2% in January 2024. The 2025 COLA will be announced in October 2024 and take effect in January 2025.

What if I'm still working — can I get the full minimum payment?

It depends on how much you earn. If your work earnings are below the Earnings Test threshold ($21,960 in 2023), you receive your full payment. Above that, Social Security withholds $1 for every $2 you earn. Once you reach full retirement age, the Earnings Test no longer applies and you receive your full payment regardless of work income.

Can I get SSI if my SSDI payment is below the poverty line?

You may be able to. SSI is a separate program for people with low income and resources. If your SSDI payment is low and you have limited savings and assets, you could may have access to for SSI to supplement your SSDI. Contact Social Security to ask about your situation.

How do I find out what my actual SSDI payment will be?

Create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to view your Primary Insurance Amount and estimated payment. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. Your Social Security Statement shows your PIA before you file.