Social Security Disability Benefit Amounts Explained

If you struggle with a disability that has caused you to be unable to work, you may wonder whether you should file a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. After all, being disabled can cause tremendous financial stress. It can be overwhelming to receive one bill after another and wonder how you’ll pay those bills and provide for yourself and those you love when you’re unable to work as you usually would. Receiving disability benefits can certainly help to relieve that stress. Let’s take a closer look at the types of benefits available, how to pursue those benefits, and how much you might receive.

What Types of Disability Benefits Are Available?

Those who are considering a claim for disability benefits should know that two types of benefits may be available from the Social Security Administration, depending upon your circumstances. These include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

These two types of benefits have important similarities and important differences. It is essential to understand that to receive either type of benefit, an applicant must meet two criteria:

• The applicant must have a disabling medical condition,
• The condition must have rendered the applicant unable to work for one continuous calendar year or more.

Generally, to satisfy these conditions, an applicant will need to provide medical proof documenting their condition and its effect on their daily life. Additionally, evidence from an employer regarding an inability to work may be helpful.

It’s also important to understand that although SSDI and SSI benefits both require these conditions to be satisfied, there are important differences in the two types of benefits. These include:

• Funding: SSDI benefits are funded through employment taxes that employees regularly pay from their salaries. Doing so makes those individuals “insured” for the purpose of receiving SSDI benefits. SSI benefits, by contrast, are funded by the general revenue. As a result, those who receive the benefits do not need to be “insured.” They must, however, have income and resources below a specific limit established annually by the Social Security Administration.
• Maximum Monthly Amounts: Each type of benefit has a maximum monthly amount that an individual can receive. In 2025, the maximum SSDI payment that an individual can receive each month in 2025 is $4,018, and the maximum SSI payment is $967 per month for an individual or $1,450 per couple.

Sometimes, applicants want to know if they can pursue both types of disability benefits. In certain circumstances, this is possible and is known as receiving “concurrent” benefits. Regardless of which type of benefit you decide to pursue, it can be helpful to understand the basics of how those benefits are calculated.

A Closer Look at Calculations

Understandably, if you are disabled and seeking benefits, you want to do all you can to receive the maximum amount possible. Although the calculation process can be somewhat complicated, in essence, a monthly SSDI benefit is calculated by looking at an applicant’s earnings and work history, as well as the amounts that they paid into the Social Security system over time. As a general rule, the longer you worked and the more you paid into the system, the higher the amount you will receive up to the monthly maximum.

By contrast, SSI benefits are calculated by looking at an applicant’s total income and resource level. Because SSI benefits are intended to help lower-income individuals, it is typically the case that the lower an applicant’s income and overall resources, the higher the benefit payment will be, up to the applicable monthly maximum amount.

Regardless of which type of benefit you receive, it is important to understand that the calculation of your benefit amount will not be based on your particular condition or its severity. Although this rule has some exceptions, such as in the case of blindness, this is generally true.

It is also essential to understand that although there are maximum monthly benefit amounts for each type of benefit, the maximum amounts generally increase yearly. The Social Security Administration will typically increase the amounts in accordance with inflation and various other economic factors.

Disability Experts – Here For You

At Disability Experts, we understand the daily struggles that our disabled clients face. We also understand that when you’re trying to live with a disability, the last thing you need is the additional stress of worrying and wondering how you’ll pursue a claim for benefits. The law can be complicated and confusing, and the entire process may initially seem overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to help. We know and understand the law pertaining to disability benefits, and we’ll always pursue the best legal strategies as we fight for the benefits you need. If you’re ready to get started today, give us a call. We look forward to speaking with you soon.