How Much Does Disability Pay in 2023 and 2024?
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Disability benefits depend on your average income and other disability resources you already have.
The average disability payment varies by state.
You can still work while receiving disability, but you're limited in how much you can earn.
Disability benefits depend on your average income and other disability resources you already have.
The average disability payment varies by state.
You can still work while receiving disability, but you're limited in how much you can earn.
In October 2023, the average disability pay from Social Security was $1,665.14 per month. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are largely based on how much Social Security tax you paid on previous earnings. The maximum monthly SSDI benefit is $3,822 in 2024.
» MORE: SSDI benefits pay chart
Average monthly disability pay by state
Because cost of living varies by location and a beneficiary’s SSDI payment is determined by their lifetime earnings (among other things), the average SSDI monthly benefit varies by state. In 2022, Delaware had the highest average monthly SSDI payment at $1,599.97, and the District of Columbia had the lowest at $1,321.04.
How disability pay is calculated
The SSA calculates SSDI using much of the same approach it uses to calculate retirement benefits, including measuring your average earnings from jobs at which you paid Social Security tax on your wages. The formula excludes income on which you did not pay Social Security tax.
The size of SSDI benefits does not depend on the severity of your disability, so waiting until your disability worsens to apply for SSDI does not increase your monthly benefit.
Once the Social Security Administration adjusts your past earnings for inflation and calculates the average of your 35 highest-earning years, it applies “bend point” percentages to certain portions of your average earnings. Each total for each bend point is added together to calculate your primary insurance amount (PIA).
Your PIA is the amount you’ll receive each month if you qualify for SSDI benefits. The PIA formula is designed to support payments to individuals with lower income over their lifetime.
How much can you make while on Social Security Disability Insurance?
The substantial gainful activity limit for 2024 is $1,550 per month ($2,590 if blind). If you earn more than the limit, you won’t qualify for SSDI.
Social Security Disability Insurance income limit
You can work while collecting SSDI benefits — the SSA actually encourages you to work if you are able and provides incentive programs to help you reenter the workforce without affecting your benefits. The SSDI income limit applies to your gross income, which is the amount you earn before taxes and deductions. For example, if your monthly wages in 2024 are $1,700 before taxes are withheld, you won’t qualify for benefits, even if you bring home an amount below $1,550 after taxes and deductions.
What counts against the income limit?
If you perform work that requires a good deal of physical or mental activity and is intended to earn or commonly earns money, it is considered substantial gainful activity (SGA).
Passive income, such as investment account dividends and retirement funds, are not counted as SGA.
» MORE: Is disability income taxable?
If you work in a sheltered workplace that provides work opportunities to people with severe or specific disabilities, you might qualify for a subsidy. If this is the case, your earnings might not count toward SGA if your monthly average wages are not more than the income limit.
If you are self-employed, the SSA will evaluate your SGA differently. You can find information about how it calculates your SGA in the SSA’s Red Book.
Work incentive programs
The SSA has work incentive programs to help SSDI beneficiaries test the waters with part-time work before returning full time without affecting their benefits. Together these programs are referred to as the Ticket to Work program. Each type of program offers different benefits and has different requirements.
If you decide to work while receiving SSDI benefits, contact the SSA to let them know that you’re working and learn about what information you’ll need to report each month.
The SSA applies its annual cost-of-living adjustment to disability pay automatically. This helps keep benefits on pace with inflation.
Other income that can lower your disability pay
The SSA might lower your monthly disability payment if you receive workers’ compensation for a job-related disability or public disability benefits for disabilities unrelated to your job, such as state-based disability.
However, these benefits don’t decrease your SSDI benefits:
Disability payments through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Supplemental Security Income assistance.
Pensions from a former employer.
Payments from an insurance company.
Applying for SSDI benefits
You can apply for SSDI online, by phone or in person at your local SSA office. To apply over the phone, call 1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778 if you are hard of hearing or deaf.
To apply you’ll submit an application and a medical release form along with records of your diagnosis, information about your work history and proof of certain information such as identity and citizenship.
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