If you are a Michigan resident who has left the workforce due to a disabling condition, you might be starting the overwhelming process of applying for Social Security Disability Insurance.
Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, is a federal program that provides payments to individuals who can no longer work due to a qualifying disability. To be eligible, you must have worked long enough to pay sufficient payroll taxes, with the amount depending on your age.
In Michigan, residents may also qualify for State Disability Assistance, or SDA, and a unique investment system that allows individuals on disability to accrue savings.
If you meet the Social Security Administration’s multiple SSDI eligibility requirements and receive approval for benefits, a range of factors will influence your benefit amount. At
If you or a loved one is seeking government aid in Michigan for a disability that prevents you from working, Disability Advice can help. Contact our compassionate team for support today.
How Is Social Security Disability Insurance Calculated in Michigan?
The Social Security Administration outsources the review process for SSDI applications to Michigan’s state agency, the Michigan Disability Determination Service. The state agency follows the federal standard for approving applicants and calculating payments.
To be eligible for the program, you must have earned a certain number of work credits by paying payroll taxes into the system. The number of credits required depends on your age. The SSA reviews your income history to calculate your average earnings over your highest-earning years. This number is called the Average Indexed Monthly Earnings, or AIME.
The SSA then applies the Primary Insurance Amount, or PIA, formula to calculate your monthly benefit amount. The PIA formula divides your AIME into three tiers and multiplies each by a certain percentage. The sum of those amounts is your benefit.
In 2025, the PIA formula uses the following bend points to calculate your benefits:
- 90% of the first $1,226 of your AIME
- 32% of your AIME from $1,226 to $7,391
- 15% of everything else above $7,391
Michigan's State-Specific Disability Resources and Supports
Michigan offers several state-run programs that provide additional support and may supplement your SSDI benefits. These include:
- State disability assistance: A supplemental cash payment
- Housing assistance: Housing subsidies, vouchers, public housing, and mortgage assistance
- Services for the blind and deaf: Michigan School for the Deaf, Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, and the Division on Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing
- MiABLE: Accounts that allow for savings for qualified individuals that “support health, independence, and quality of life” and don’t contribute to account limits for benefits
Michigan's State Disability Assistance and Medicaid Programs
If you’re approved for SSDI in Michigan, you may also be eligible for the state-run SDA program. SDA is a supplementary program that provides crucial cash assistance that can provide additional assistance for SSDI beneficiaries. For eligibility, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, or MDHHS, considers your disability status, age, assets, income, and residency.
Also, in 2014, Michigan passed a bill expanding Medicaid under the Healthy Michigan Plan, which increased the income limits to 133% of the federal poverty level, increasing access to health insurance for low-income Michiganders.
How Local Support Services Affect Financial Stability
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services runs MIBridges, an online platform that connects Michigan residents with resources and programs like:
- Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC: Food subsidies for women with young children at home
- Food Assistance Program, or FAP: Aid to purchase groceries or grow your food
- State Emergency Relief, or SER: Financial support for emergencies that may include housing instability, help with utilities, or home repairs
Specific supports are available to help with housing and vocational programs, which operate under Michigan Rehabilitation Services, or MRS, to assist disabled adults in entering or re-entering the workforce.
Typical SSDI Payment Amounts in Michigan: What To Expect
The most current Social Security disability benefits pay chart from the Social Security Administration, or SSA, finds that the average benefit amount per person is $1,487.16 per month.
To put this context, the Michigan Institute of Technology developed a calculator to determine the cost of living in Michigan, including what would be considered a “living wage” versus a “poverty wage.” They determined that the living wage in Michigan is an annual salary of $43,610—or just over $3,634 per month—for a single adult with no children, factoring in the following monthly costs:
- Housing: $917.50
- Food: $344.75
- Medical care: $268.75
- Transportation: $847.16
Variations Based on Disability Type, Age, and Earnings History
Although the maximum benefit you can receive in 2025 is $4,018, many variables impact your potential SSDI disbursements. The primary factor is your past earnings since your highest earning years are averaged to determine your AIME.
Your age will affect the number of work credits required for approval—the older you are, the more you’ll need.
Tips To Maximize Your SSDI Benefits While Living in Michigan
While you can’t go back in time and increase your income during your highest earning years, there are other ways you can maximize your SSDI benefits in Michigan. Working with a disability advocate can make it easier to apply for all federal and Michigan-specific programs you are eligible for, maximizing your benefits.
Beyond SSDI, you could apply for SSI or SDA. If eligible, these programs can boost your income.
If you can work or would like to attempt to return to work, you have the following options:
- Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility, or TWP and EPE: These programs are subject to income limits. For example, with TWP, you can return to work for a “trial” period of nine months without losing your benefits. After nine months, the EPE allows for 36 additional months for continued benefits.
- Impairment Related Work Expenses, or IRWEs: You can deduct any work-related support you need from your income to maintain benefit status.
Review Your Earnings Record and Correct Errors Promptly
To ensure you receive all of the benefits you are owed, you must review the earnings record that the SSA has on file for you. You can create a free account on ssa.gov and review the records carefully. If the report has errors or is missing information, contact the SSA promptly to correct the record and re-analyze your benefits.
Maintaining meticulous records is essential for these situations because the SSA will request documentation to support your claims.
Seek Local Disability Advocates Familiar With Michigan's System
Many who start the SSDI process find it to be complicated and intimidating. If this sounds like you, consider consulting with a disability expert. They are well-versed in Michigan’s unique benefits landscape. They can help you navigate the many procedures and agencies, providing the support you need to secure your benefits.
Michigan SSDI Payment FAQs
The following are answers to common questions about disability benefits in Michigan.
Are there any Michigan-specific programs that increase my SSDI income?
Michigan offers State Disability Assistance, or SDA, for eligible adults, including disabled individuals and those over 65. You may also qualify if you are the caretaker for a disabled or older adult.
How often do SSDI payments change in Michigan?
SSDI payments change annually every January to account for the increased cost of living due to inflation. This is called the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA.
Can Michigan garnish SSDI benefits for debts?
Michigan can garnish your SSDI benefits for certain debts. These include the following:
- Child support and alimony
- Federal debts, such as unpaid taxes
- Criminal restitution
However, your SSDI cannot be garnished for private debts, such as those from a credit card.
Can I receive SSDI along with Michigan state disability benefits?
State Disability Assistance, or SDA, is a program that provides cash assistance in addition to, but separate from, SSDI.
How Much Does SSDI Pay in Michigan?
How much is disability in Michigan? Understanding the calculations is a crucial part of planning your life after an illness or disability limits your employment options. However, assessing your benefit amount is not always straightforward.
If you need help navigating the SSDI process with clarity and confidence, the team at Disability Advice is here to help. Contact us today to contact an advocate who can help you get the disability benefits you are entitled to. Consultations are free of charge.
- Free case evaluation
- Assist with denied claims
- Ensure you have all documents
- Make the process easy for you
