 SSDRC What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI? If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits? How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition? What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare? How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid? Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability? What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression? Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability Status Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts |
How Much Do You Get For Disability If You Are Awarded Benefits?How to prove you are disabled and win disability benefits If you are approved for SSDI or SSI disability benefits, your monthly disability benefit depend upon A) how much you have worked and B) how much you earned in the years prior to becoming disabled. If you had a steady work history prior to becoming disabled, you will most likely have a better disability benefit amount than someone who has worked sporadically. Some Social Security disability beneficiaries have worked and earned enough for their dependents to receive benefits as well. While others have only worked and earned enough to provide a small Social Security disability benefit for themselves with nothing available for dependents. Supplemental Security Income disability (SSI), on the other hand, is not based upon your work or your earnings. It is a disability program based upon need. If you are awarded disability benefits through this program, you must meet certain income and resource limits. You cannot have more than two thousand dollars in countable assets and if you are married, the income of your spouse may be counted toward your household income and may make you ineligible, just in the same way that a disabled child who is receiving SSI may be made ineligible by the income of his or her parents). If you meet the resource asset limits for SSI, you are entitled to a monthly disability benefit. The monthly SSI maximum disability amount is set by Social Security. However, while there is a maximum SSI disability monthly amount there is no guarantee that you will receive the maximum amount. Note: to see the current SSI monthly maximum benefit, view the following page: The SSI monthly maximum benefit amount. The SSI disability program has other factors that might change the amount received. For example, SSI beneficiaries must provide information about their living arrangements. If you are living in a household but are not paying your fair share of the essential monthly bills (i.e. electric, water, gas, rent, mortgage, and groceries if you eat together), you will receive less in monthly SSI benefits. Even if you are not in a living arrangement with anyone, your benefit may still be reduced if anyone is helping you pay your bills. If you receive Social Security benefits that are lower than the SSI disability monthly amount, your SSI check will be reduced by the amount you receive in Social Security disability. Lastly, if you are working any kind of job, your earnings may reduce the amount of monthly SSI benefits you receive. 
Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page Topics and Questions SSD and SSI are Federal Programs The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here: Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials |