How Much Can You Expect to Receive in SSDI Benefits?
If you’re considering applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, one question you may have is: How much can you expect to receive from the Social Security Administration?
My name is Kaitlin Wildoner, and I’m an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible—so they can focus on getting better. Today, we’re going to discuss how much you may be able to receive from Social Security when it comes to SSDI benefits.
What Are SSDI Benefits?
Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, benefits are designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to a disability. The amount of benefits that an individual can receive is based on their average lifetime earnings before the onset of the disability.
How SSDI Monthly Benefit Amounts Are Calculated
The Social Security Administration uses a complex formula to calculate an individual’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)—this is the monthly benefit amount that the individual is entitled to receive.
Your PIA is calculated based on your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME), which is the average of your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusted for inflation.
✅ The maximum monthly SSDI benefit for 2023 is $3,627.
What About Retroactive Payments?
In addition to the monthly benefit amount, individuals who are approved for SSDI benefits may also be eligible for retroactive payments, which are payments for the period of time between the onset of the disability and the approval of the SSDI benefits. Retroactive payments are typically paid in a lump sum.
Factors That Affect Your SSDI Benefit Amount
The amount of SSDI benefits that an individual can expect to receive depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Your lifetime earnings
- The duration of your disability
- Other sources of income or disability benefits
How to Estimate Your SSDI Benefits
You may be able to log into your my Social Security account to:
- Make sure your earnings history is accurate, and
- See what the Social Security Administration directly estimates your monthly disability benefit amount to be.
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