Written by:
Linda Cosme-Vice President of DIsability Policy & Strategy, Citizen’s Disability
SSDI Calculator
If you’re considering applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, our Social Security Disability Benefits Calculator can estimate your potential monthly disability payments. However, please note that these are estimates, not guaranteed amounts. To get started, just enter your average annual income during your last 10 years of work and the year you stopped working.
Calculate Your Payments
This calculator assumes the following:
- You have accumulated enough work credits to qualify for SSDI.
- You are between the ages of 18 and 67.
- You cannot perform substantial gainful activity, meaning your monthly earnings do not exceed $1,620.
How Are Social Security Disability Benefits Calculated?
SSDI benefits are federal disability benefits paid monthly to those with disabilities preventing them from working.
Your monthly benefit amount is based on your past earnings. If you have worked for at least 35 years, the SSA will use your 35 highest-earning years to calculate your benefits. If you have worked fewer than 35 years, SSA will include all your earnings, and the missing years will be counted as zeros in the average.
When the SSA calculates the average, it adjusts your earnings for inflation and determines your average indexed monthly earnings or AIME. The SSA uses your AIME to calculate your full retirement benefit, known as your primary insurance amount or PIA. It then rounds this value down to the nearest dollar to determine your monthly SSDI benefit.
In 2024, the maximum possible monthly Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit is $3,822. This amount is only available to individuals who had very high lifetime earnings and paid into Social Security over many years. However, most beneficiaries receive much less than the maximum. As of 2024, the average monthly SSDI benefit is approximately $1,537. Your individual benefit amount depends on your work history and how much you paid into Social Security through payroll taxes.
Who Is Eligible for SSDI Benefits?
To be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must have a disability that prevents you from working for at least a year or is expected to result in death. You must also have paid enough Social Security taxes through payroll deductions to qualify for benefits.
An individual may be ineligible for SSDI under the following conditions:
- Insufficient Work History:
Individuals who have not worked enough quarters (e.g., under 20 credits) or have not worked recently enough may be ineligible. - No Contributions to Social Security:
Certain public-sector workers or self-employed individuals who opted out of Social Security may lack qualifying earnings. - Disability Not “Severe” or Long-Term:
Short-term injuries or conditions that do not prevent all work activity, or that do not meet SSA’s duration requirement, will not qualify. - Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA):
If an applicant is earning more than the SGA limit, SSA considers them able to work and therefore not disabled for SSDI purposes. - Lack of Legal Status or SSN:
Noncitizens without work authorization or a valid Social Security number are ineligible regardless of disability severity.
Other circumstances may also impact your eligibility. An SSDI disability advocate can review your unique circumstances and confirm your eligibility for benefits.
How Can I Apply for SSDI Benefits?
You can apply for SSDI benefits online through your Social Security account, over the phone, or in person at your local Social Security Administration office. Your application will require you to document your age, identity, medical condition, income, and work history, among other things. The application process can be complicated. Thus, approximately two-thirds of all initial applications are denied. If the SSA denies your application, you have 60 days to submit an appeal.
The advocates at Disability Advice are helpful, knowledgeable professionals who know all of the ins and outs of the SSDI application process. We can help you apply for SSDI and give you the best shot at having your application appeal outcome. If you’ve already applied and received a denial, we can help you appeal initial or reconsideration determination and unfavorable ALJ
Contact us online today for a free consultation.
- Free case evaluation
- Assist with denied claims
- Ensure you have all documents
- Make the process easy for you
Written by:
Linda Cosme-Vice President of DIsability Policy & Strategy, Citizen’s Disability
“Professionalism at its best. From intake to getting my claim started, they are the ones you need. 100% recommend to everyone.”
Pablo P.
“Having never gone through this process before, it was very easy and straightforward. VERY professional and polite.”
Alan A.
“I had a great experience with my representative. She was very friendly and she made the process very easy. I’m glad I had the pleasure to work with her in filing my claim. She provided great customer service.”
Dana C.
“I was very nervous about reaching out for help with disability benefits. This experience was so much easier than what I thought it would be. They were understanding and supportive, and answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend them.”
Alice P.
“One of the best customer service experiences I have ever had. Patient and kind and couldn’t of made my experience better. Thank you for all the help.”
Jama M.
“I was very pleased and impressed by the advocate. I feel that my chances of receiving my disability benefits are more likely to come in a timely manner.”
Danny C.
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“Professionalism at its best. From intake to getting my claim started, they are the ones you need. 100% recommend to everyone.”
Pablo P.
“Having never gone through this process before, it was very easy and straightforward. VERY professional and polite.”
Alan A.
“I had a great experience with my representative. She was very friendly and she made the process very easy. I’m glad I had the pleasure to work with her in filing my claim. She provided great customer service.”
Dana C.
“I was very nervous about reaching out for help with disability benefits. This experience was so much easier than what I thought it would be. They were understanding and supportive, and answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend them.”
Alice P.
“One of the best customer service experiences I have ever had. Patient and kind and couldn’t of made my experience better. Thank you for all the help.”
Jama M.
“The person I spoke with was very knowledgeable and very thorough with answering all of my questions and making sure all my information was correct. He was very patient, kind, and was very helpful. I wasn’t sure if I would qualify, and he checked and took all of my information. The process was made very easy, thank you so much for your help.”
Patrice I.