Factors That Affect the Amount of Your SSDI Check

Your Average Lifetime Earnings

The amount of your SSDI benefits is primarily based on your lifetime earnings. The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME), which is an average of your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusted for inflation. The higher your earnings over your career, the higher your SSDI benefits are likely to be.

The SSDI Benefit Formula

The SSA uses a complex formula to determine how much you will receive each month in SSDI benefits. The formula takes into account the AIME and applies a percentage to each part of that amount, which results in your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Your PIA is the monthly benefit amount you would receive at full retirement age (FRA). If you start receiving SSDI before your FRA, your benefits may be slightly reduced.

Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA)

Social Security benefits, including SSDI, are adjusted for inflation each year based on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). These adjustments help ensure that the purchasing power of your SSDI check keeps up with inflation. If the COLA increases, your monthly check may go up as well.

Work History and Credit Requirements

To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked and paid into Social Security for a certain number of years. The number of work credits you need to qualify for SSDI depends on your age and when you became disabled. The more work credits you have, the higher your potential benefits may be.

What Is the Average SSDI Benefit Amount?

National Average SSDI Benefit

As of 2025, the average SSDI benefit in the United States is approximately $1,400 per month. However, this amount can vary greatly depending on your earnings history. Some people may receive a lower amount, while others with higher lifetime earnings may qualify for a higher monthly benefit.

Maximum SSDI Benefit

For 2025, the maximum SSDI benefit for an individual who has earned the highest possible lifetime average earnings could be as much as $3,627 per month. However, only a small percentage of SSDI recipients receive this maximum benefit, as it requires a substantial lifetime earnings history.

Other Considerations

If you are married, your spouse may be eligible for benefits based on your work history, and the amount they receive will also depend on their own work history and earnings. Additionally, if you have children under the age of 18 (or up to age 19 if they are still in high school), they may also be eligible for dependent benefits.

How Does Your SSDI Benefit Compare to Other Types of Benefits?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Unlike SSDI, which is based on your work history, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a need-based program for individuals who have low income and limited resources. The SSI payment amount is generally lower than SSDI benefits. In 2025, the maximum SSI benefit for an individual is about $914 per month.

Social Security Retirement Benefits

Social Security retirement benefits are based on the same calculation as SSDI, using your work history and AIME. However, you must wait until you reach full retirement age (FRA) to begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits. If you apply for SSDI before reaching your FRA, the amount you receive will be based on your disability rather than your retirement benefits.

Can Your SSDI Benefit Amount Change?

Yes, your SSDI check may change in certain circumstances:

• Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA): As mentioned, if the SSA announces a COLA increase, your SSDI benefit amount may go up to account for inflation.
• Work and Earnings: If you are able to return to work and earn more than the SSDI income limit, your benefits could be reduced or stopped altogether. However, the SSA has programs in place that allow you to test your ability to return to work without losing benefits immediately.
• Other Benefits: If you qualify for other government benefits, such as workers' compensation, these benefits may impact your SSDI check.