
To calculate your WBA:
- Confirm your claim start date Your claim begins on the date your disability began. The date the claim begins determines your base period. ...
- Find your base period Your benefit amount is based on the quarter with the highest wages earned within the base period. ...
- Estimate your WBA
What determines your disability benefit amount?
You can ask for a special base period, if your current base period was negatively affected by:
- Military service
- Industrial disability
- Trade dispute
- Long-term unemployment
How much in Social Security disability benefits can you get?
- 90% of the first $1,024 of average indexed monthly earnings
- 32% of the average indexed monthly earnings over $1,024 through $6,172, and
- 15% of the average indexed monthly earnings over $6,172.
What is the amount of my SSDI benefit?
- 90% of the first $996 of average indexed monthly earnings
- 32% of the average indexed monthly earnings over $996 through $6,002, and
- 15% of the average indexed monthly earnings over $6,002.
How are Social Security disability benefits calculated?
Social Security calculators provided by other companies or non-profits ... So failing to file tax returns could adversely affect a person's Social Security retirement or disability benefit rate. Furthermore, if and when a person claims Social Security ...

How do they determine how much disability you get?
To calculate how much you would receive as your disability benefit, SSA uses the average amount you've earned per month over a period of your adult years, adjusted for inflation. To simplify this formula here, just enter your typical annual income. This income will be adjusted to estimate wage growth over your career.
How do they calculate Social Security disability benefits?
Social Security benefits are typically computed using "average indexed monthly earnings." This average summarizes up to 35 years of a worker's indexed earnings. We apply a formula to this average to compute the primary insurance amount (PIA). The PIA is the basis for the benefits that are paid to an individual.
How are monthly disability payments calculated?
Your SSDI payment will be based on your average covered earnings over a period of years, known as your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). A formula is then applied to your AIME to calculate your primary insurance amount (PIA)—the basic figure the SSA uses in setting your actual benefit amount.
What is the most approved disability?
1. Arthritis. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.
How do we decide if an adult "child" is disabled for SSDI benefits?
We send the application to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) in your state that completes the disability decision for us.
What is disability under Social Security?
What We Mean By Disability. The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability. We consider you disabled under Social Security rules if all of the following are true:
What if the adult child is already receiving SSI benefits or disability benefits on his or her own record?
A disabled "adult child" already receiving SSI benefits or disability benefits on his or her own record should check to see if benefits may be payable on a parent's earnings record. Higher benefits might be payable and entitlement to Medicare may be possible.
How to speed up disability application?
To speed up the application process, complete an Adult Disability Report and have it available at the time of your appointment.
What is the work incentive for Social Security?
There are also a number of special rules, called "work incentives," that provide continued benefits and health care coverage to help you make the transition back to work. If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, ...
How long does a widow have to be disabled?
The widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse has a medical condition that meets the definition of disability for adults and the disability started before or within seven years of the worker's death.
What are some examples of compassionate allowances?
Examples include acute leukemia, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), and pancreatic cancer.
How is SSDI calculated?
Mathematically speaking, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is calculated in the same way as Social Security retirement benefits. Both are based on your record of “covered earnings” — work income on which you paid Social Security taxes.
How does Social Security calculate PIA?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) starts by figuring your average monthly income across your working life, adjusted for historical wage growth. It then plugs that figure into a formula to determine your primary insurance amount (PIA ), also known as your full retirement benefit.
How many years does the SSA count up?
The SSA counts up the number of years from the year you turned 22 to the year before you became disabled
Can you get reduced SSDI?
SSDI benefits can be reduced if you are collecting other public disability payments, such as state disability benefits or workers' compensation. There is no reduction for private disability benefits, such as payouts from commercial insurance.
Does SSI apply to earnings based benefits?
The earnings-based benefit calculation does not apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the other SSA-run benefit program serving people with disabilities. SSI eligibility is based on financial need, and benefit amounts are set by the federal government, without regard to a recipient’s work history.
Is SSDI benefit lower than retirement?
Still, that full payment tends to be lower for SSDI recipients than for retirees, in part because your disability can cost you higher-earning years that would boost your calculated benefit. In August 2021, the average monthly retirement and SSDI benefits were about $1,558 and $1,280, respectively, according to SSA data. If you have an online My Social Security account, you can check your projected retirement and disability benefit amounts.
Benefit Calculators
The best way to start planning for your future is by creating a my Social Security account online. With my Social Security, you can verify your earnings, get your Social Security Statement, and much more – all from the comfort of your home or office.
Online Benefits Calculator
These tools can be accurate but require access to your official earnings record in our database. The simplest way to do that is by creating or logging in to your my Social Security account. The other way is to answer a series of questions to prove your identity.
Additional Online Tools
Find your full retirement age and learn how your monthly benefits may be reduced if you retire before your full retirement age.
How Does a Disability Calculator Determine Benefits?
If you are unable to work because of a medical problem, you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two disability programs that pay monthly benefits to individuals who meet the criteria to qualify for disability. SSDI, or Social Security Disability Insurance, is based on your work history and past earnings.
How does the SSA calculate SSDI?
The SSA calculates SSDI benefits based upon the quantity of income you earned and the amount of taxes you paid towards Social Security. Your average income is used to determine Average Indexed Monthly Earnings, or AIME. The SSA uses your AIME to calculate what is referred to as a PIA, or Primary Insurance Amount. If you use the disability calculator, it will help you determine how much you will receive in monthly disability benefits.
What is the PIA for SSDI?
The ultimate PIA is the highest amount you are eligible to receive in SSDI benefits.
How to apply for disability benefits?
To apply for disability benefits from the SSA, you will need to complete an application. The application must be filled out in detail and you must provide supporting evidence – specifically hard medical evidence – that indicates you are unable to work and that confirms your condition. Your medical records should include your diagnosis, any symptoms and side effects, and restrictions and limitations.
Can you be denied disability?
Often, disability claims are denied. In that case, you will file a request for reconsideration. You will provide additional information in support of your case so Disability Determination Services can give your claim a fair review. The last step is to request a hearing before an administrative law judge who will then decide if you meet the requirements to be approved for disability benefits.
How much does a person get from SSDI?
It is not based on how severe your disability is or how much income you have. Most SSDI recipients receive between $800 and $1,800 per month (the average for 2020 is $1,258).
How much does SSDI pay?
Most SSDI recipients receive between $800 and $1,800 per month (the average for 2020 is $1,258). Benefit estimates depend on your date of birth and on your earnings history.
How is disability calculated?
Rather, a unique payment is created according to each person’s situation. This formula is totaled according to a person’s average lifetime earnings before the disability began. Covered earnings — the amount of income on which a person has paid social security taxes — also plays a role in calculating this number.
How much is disability per month?
However, In 2018, the majority of people receiving SSDI payments are allocated between $700 and $1,700 per month.
What conditions automatically qualify you for disability?
There are many conditions that qualify someone for a disability. These include cancers, neurological disorders, immune disorders, and mental disorders. Conditions related to the skin, digestive tract, kidneys, musculoskeletal systems, and cardiovascular systems also quality. Most of these conditions are listed specifically in the Social Security disability blue book.
What is the Difference Between State and Federal Disability Laws?
By being federally regulated, the Social Security disability (SSDI) is equally distributed across all states. Therefore, there won’t be any discrepancies in how different states deal with this form of disability specifically. On the other hand, however, certain states regulate their own additional security benefits. In California, for example, short-term disability insurance and paid family leave are offered to employees in certain situations who need to take time off of work.
How much can one make on disability in 2018? What about 2019?
Meanwhile, a beneficiary of this person on disability in 2019 will receive up to $2,861.
Is disability based on salary?
There is a common misconception that disability payments are based on an employees salary, the disability, or even the severity of the disability.
Can you get Social Security if you are disabled?
Also, receiving disability doesn’t disqualify someone from getting other income, as they may have additional avenues of wealth that don’t involve a job.
How to check my Social Security earnings?
To see your entire covered earnings history, you can check your annual Social Security Statement. Check your statement by logging on to my Social Security. You can also use the benefits calculator online at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/benefitcalculators.htm to get an estimate of the amount of your disability benefits. Or, call your local Social Security office and they will be able to help you estimate what your benefits would be.
What is disability payment?
Your disability payment is based on your average lifetime earnings before you became disabled. The severity of disability does not factor in, although payments from other sources can. Unlike Supplemental Security Income ( SSI ), which also pays benefits to people who are disabled and unable to work but is based on limited income and resources, ...
How does SSDI work?
If you are eligible for SSDI benefits, the amount you receive each month will be based on your average lifetime earnings before your disability began. This is the only factor that determines your benefit amount, although it may be reduced if you're receiving disability payments from other sources (more on this below).
What is the AIME for SSDI?
Your SSDI payment will be based on your average covered earnings over a period of years, known as your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). A formula is then applied to your AIME to calculate your primary insurance amount (PIA)—the basic figure the SSA uses in setting your actual benefit amount.
What is a covered earnings on SSDI?
"Covered earnings" are wages you have received from jobs that have paid into Social Security.
What are some examples of 80% disability?
Examples of these include temporary disability benefits paid by the state, military disability benefits, and state or local government retirement benefits that are based on disability. Some public benefits are not counted toward the 80%, including SSI or VA benefits.
How much can you get from SSDI?
The combined total amounts you receive from SSDI and all other public disability benefits cannot be more than 80% of the average amount you earned before you became disabled. If the amount is more than 80% of what your average earnings were before you became disabled, in most states, the excess amount is deducted from your SSDI benefits. (In some states, however, the excess amount is deducted from your other public benefit.)
How to find out what your maximum monthly disability payment is?
You can quickly find this out by contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA) to receive an estimate or you can visit our website for a quicker response and use the disability calculator.
How to check my Social Security earnings?
You can view your covered earnings history by visiting www.ssa.gov/mystatement or you can check your Social Security statement which is sent every five years to those under the age of 60.
What is back payment on SSDI?
Back payments are any disability benefits that are past due, or the benefits that you would have been paid if your initial application was approved right away. Retroactive payments are for the months that you were disabled and could not work. You are eligible for retroactive payments only with SSDI and not SSI.
How long does a person have to be on SSDI to receive SSI?
In order to receive SSDI, the prospective recipient must be able to demonstrate they have a disability that is medically determinable, that will continue to last no less than twelve months, and that prevents the individual from engaging in substantial gainful activity.
What happens if you get 80% of your SSDI?
If your earnings from government run disability programs like worker’s comp combined with your SSDI earnings exceed 80% of your average income before you became disabled, your SSDI payments will be reduced.
What is the AIME on SSDI?
This income is called your “covered earnings”. The average of your covered earnings over several years is called your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME).
What is SGA in Social Security?
Substantial Gainful Activity – SGA. is an important concept to understand when pursuing Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income. The Social Security Administration defines it as “the performance of significant mental and/or physical duties for profit”. SGA maximum amounts are set by the Social Security Administration ...
