Steps to Estimate Your Disability Benefits

Understand Which Program You Qualify For

There are two main programs under Social Security: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

• SSDI is based on your work history and how much you've paid into Social Security through payroll taxes.
• SSI is a needs-based program for individuals with limited income and resources, and it does not require a work history.

Understanding which program you may be eligible for is the first step in estimating your benefits.

Use the SSA’s Online Tools

The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers helpful tools to estimate your benefits:

• My Social Security Account: Creating an account at www.ssa.gov lets you access your Earnings Record and use the Disability Estimator Tool to calculate your estimated monthly benefit based on your actual work history.
• SSDI Benefit Calculator: This tool uses your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) to estimate your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)—the monthly amount you would receive if approved for SSDI.

Understand the Factors That Influence Your SSDI Benefit

Your SSDI benefit is based on:

• Your Average Lifetime Earnings: The SSA calculates your benefits based on your highest-earning years.
• Your Work Credits: You need a certain number of credits (based on age) to qualify. In 2025, one credit is earned for every $1,730 in wages, up to 4 credits per year.
• Family Benefits: If you have dependents, they may also qualify for additional benefits, which can increase your total family payout.

Estimating SSI Benefits

SSI benefits are based on need and have a federal maximum amount set each year. In 2025, the maximum federal SSI benefit is approximately $943/month for individuals and $1,415/month for couples, but this can vary by state and may be reduced based on other income or support received.

Consider Other Income and Deductions

Both SSDI and SSI can be affected by:

• Other disability payments (e.g., workers' comp or private insurance)
• Current income and living arrangements (especially for SSI)
• State supplements (for SSI), which may increase your monthly benefits

Keep Your Records Up to Date

Ensure your earnings record is accurate by checking it annually through your SSA account. Incorrect or missing data can result in a lower benefit estimate.