Disability Benefits Calculator
Estimate Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) based on work history and earnings.
| SSDI | SSI | |
|---|---|---|
| Based On | Work history | Financial need |
| Max Benefit | $3,822/mo | $967/mo |
| Work Credits | Required (varies by age) | Not required |
| Asset Limit | None | $2,000 |
| Medicare/Medicaid | Medicare (after 24 mo) | Medicaid (immediate) |
SSI Eligibility
SSI requires limited resources: $2,000 max for individuals. Some assets like your home and one vehicle don't count.
You meet the work history requirement for SSDI.
Total Monthly Benefit
$2,014/mo
- These are estimates only - actual benefits depend on your complete earnings record
- You must meet Social Security's medical definition of disability
- The application process typically takes 3-6 months (or longer with appeals)
- Consider consulting a disability attorney, especially if denied
- Your actual SSDI benefit is calculated using your highest 35 earning years
Related Calculators
About This Calculator
Over 8.5 million Americans receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, with an average monthly payment of $1,630 in 2026. However, navigating the disability system is notoriously difficult—approximately 67% of initial applications are denied, leaving millions of disabled Americans waiting months or even years for benefits they deserve. This Disability Benefits Calculator estimates your potential monthly benefits under both SSDI (based on your work history and earnings) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income, based on financial need), helping you understand what you might receive and which programs you qualify for. In 2026, the maximum SSDI benefit is $4,152/month, while SSI pays up to $994/month for individuals. Many people qualify for both programs simultaneously through "concurrent benefits," which can significantly increase total monthly income and provide immediate Medicaid coverage. Important: This calculator provides estimates based on the information you enter. Actual benefits depend on your complete earnings history, medical condition, and SSA's determination of your disability onset date. If your application is denied, don't give up—over 50% of claims are approved on appeal at the ALJ hearing level, and disability attorneys work on contingency with fees capped at 25% of back benefits or $7,200.
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How to Use the Disability Benefits Calculator
- 1Enter your current age—work credit requirements vary by age at disability onset.
- 2Enter your total years of work where you paid Social Security taxes (FICA or self-employment tax).
- 3Enter your average annual earnings during your highest-earning working years.
- 4Indicate if you are legally blind—higher SGA limits and different rules apply.
- 5For SSI eligibility, confirm your resources are under $2,000 and enter any other income.
- 6Select whether you receive or expect to receive any other disability payments (workers comp, VA, etc.).
- 7Review your estimated SSDI and SSI benefits, as well as concurrent benefit eligibility.
- 8See the 5-year projection showing your total expected benefits including back pay.
Formula
SSDI = 90% of first $1,174 AIME + 32% of next $5,904 AIME + 15% above $7,078SSDI benefits are calculated using your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) and a progressive "bend point" formula that replaces more of your income at lower earning levels. First, Social Security indexes your past earnings for inflation, takes your highest 35 years, and calculates your AIME. Then, they apply the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) formula: 90% of the first $1,174 of AIME, plus 32% of AIME between $1,174 and $7,078, plus 15% of AIME above $7,078 (2026 bend points). This means lower-wage workers replace a higher percentage of their income than higher earners. SSI is simpler: the maximum federal benefit ($994/month in 2026) minus countable income (with exclusions for the first $20 of any income and the first $65 of earned income, then $1 reduction per $2 earned).
SSDI vs SSI: Key Differences
Social Security offers two disability programs with very different eligibility rules and benefit structures:
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)
| Feature | SSDI |
|---|---|
| Basis | YOUR work history and earnings |
| Work Credits Required | Yes (varies by age) |
| Income/Asset Limits | None |
| Health Insurance | Medicare after 24-month wait |
| Benefit Amount | Based on earnings ($1,630 avg, $4,152 max in 2026) |
| Waiting Period | 5 full months after onset date |
| Dependents Benefits | Yes (up to 50% of your benefit) |
SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
| Feature | SSI |
|---|---|
| Basis | FINANCIAL NEED (welfare program) |
| Work Credits Required | No |
| Income/Asset Limits | $2,000 individual, $3,000 couple |
| Health Insurance | Immediate Medicaid (most states) |
| Benefit Amount | Fixed ($994/month individual in 2026) |
| Waiting Period | None |
| Dependents Benefits | No |
Concurrent Benefits (Both Programs): Many people receive BOTH SSDI and SSI:
- If your SSDI payment is below ~$950/month, SSI may "top up" to the SSI maximum
- This provides immediate Medicaid while waiting 24 months for Medicare
- Example: $600 SSDI + $394 SSI = $994/month total plus Medicaid
Work Credits and SSDI Eligibility
SSDI eligibility requires sufficient work credits based on your age when you became disabled:
How Work Credits Are Earned (2026):
- Maximum 4 credits per year
- 2026: $1,810 in covered earnings = 1 credit
- $7,240 in annual earnings = maximum 4 credits
- Self-employment counts if you paid self-employment tax
- Only earnings subject to Social Security tax count
Credits Needed by Age at Disability:
| Age at Disability | Credits Needed | Years of Work | Recent Work Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 24 | 6 credits | 1.5 years | 6 in last 3 years |
| 24-30 | Half time since 21 | Varies | Half in recent period |
| 31-42 | 20 credits | 5 years | 20 in last 10 years |
| 44 | 22 credits | 5.5 years | 20 in last 10 years |
| 46 | 24 credits | 6 years | 20 in last 10 years |
| 48 | 26 credits | 6.5 years | 20 in last 10 years |
| 50 | 28 credits | 7 years | 20 in last 10 years |
| 52 | 30 credits | 7.5 years | 20 in last 10 years |
| 54 | 32 credits | 8 years | 20 in last 10 years |
| 56 | 34 credits | 8.5 years | 20 in last 10 years |
| 58 | 36 credits | 9 years | 20 in last 10 years |
| 60 | 38 credits | 9.5 years | 20 in last 10 years |
| 62+ | 40 credits | 10 years | 20 in last 10 years |
The "Recent Work" Requirement: You must also have earned credits in recent years (the "20/40" rule):
- 20 credits in the last 10 years before disability
- Or, for younger workers, credits within a shorter recent period
- This prevents people from becoming insured based only on old work history
How SSDI Benefits Are Calculated
SSDI uses a complex formula that replaces a higher percentage of income for lower earners:
Step 1: Calculate Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME)
- Social Security takes your highest 35 years of earnings
- Past earnings are "indexed" (adjusted for wage inflation)
- Years with $0 or low earnings reduce your average
- Total is divided by 420 months (35 years × 12 months) = AIME
Step 2: Apply the PIA Formula (2026 Bend Points)
| AIME Range | Replacement Rate |
|---|---|
| First $1,174 | 90% |
| $1,174 to $7,078 | 32% |
| Above $7,078 | 15% |
Example Calculations:
Low Earner (AIME = $2,000/month):
- $1,174 × 90% = $1,057
- ($2,000 - $1,174) × 32% = $264
- Total PIA = $1,321/month
Middle Earner (AIME = $5,000/month):
- $1,174 × 90% = $1,057
- ($5,000 - $1,174) × 32% = $1,224
- Total PIA = $2,281/month
High Earner (AIME = $10,000/month):
- $1,174 × 90% = $1,057
- ($7,078 - $1,174) × 32% = $1,889
- ($10,000 - $7,078) × 15% = $438
- Total PIA = $3,384/month
2026 Benefit Limits:
- Maximum SSDI benefit: $4,152/month
- Average SSDI benefit: $1,630/month
- Minimum meaningful benefit: Around $200/month
SSI Income and Resource Rules
SSI has strict financial requirements that must be met throughout your time on the program:
Resource Limits (2026):
- Individual: $2,000
- Couple (both eligible): $3,000
What Counts as Resources:
- Cash, checking, savings accounts
- Stocks, bonds, mutual funds
- Real estate (other than your home)
- Vehicles beyond one used for transportation
- Life insurance with cash value over $1,500
What Does NOT Count:
- Your home (regardless of value)
- One vehicle used for transportation
- Household goods and personal effects
- Burial plots for you and immediate family
- Up to $1,500 in burial funds
- ABLE account (first $100,000)
How Income Affects SSI:
SSI Payment = Federal Benefit Rate - Countable Income
Income Exclusions:
- First $20 of any income (general exclusion)
- First $65 of earned income (work incentive)
- Then $1 reduction for every $2 earned
- Student earned income exclusion (up to $2,350/month for students under 22)
Example:
- SSI maximum: $994
- Unearned income: $200 → $200 - $20 = $180 countable
- Earned income: $500 → $500 - $65 = $435 ÷ 2 = $217.50 countable
- Total countable income: $397.50
- SSI payment: $994 - $397.50 = $596.50/month
SSDI Counts Against SSI: Your SSDI payment is treated as unearned income, minus the $20 general exclusion.
Working While on Disability: SGA and Work Incentives
Social Security provides work incentives to help you try working without immediately losing benefits:
2026 Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limits:
- Non-blind disabled: $1,690/month gross earnings
- Legally blind: $2,830/month gross earnings
What Happens If You Earn Above SGA: If you earn more than the SGA limit, Social Security presumes you're not disabled. However, several programs protect you during work attempts:
Trial Work Period (SSDI Only):
- 9 months to test your ability to work
- Earn ANY amount without losing benefits
- 2026 trial work month trigger: $1,160/month in earnings
- Months don't have to be consecutive
- Must occur within a 60-month rolling period
Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): After your trial work period ends:
- 36 consecutive months where benefits are "on/off"
- Months under SGA = full benefit paid
- Months over SGA = no benefit paid
- No need to reapply if income drops
Expedited Reinstatement: If benefits stopped due to work and you can't continue:
- Request reinstatement within 5 years
- Provisional benefits paid while SSA reviews
- No new application needed
- Same disability doesn't need to be re-proven
Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE): Costs for disability-related items needed to work are deducted from earnings:
- Medications, medical equipment
- Attendant care services
- Transportation (disability-related)
- Can reduce earnings below SGA
The Disability Application and Appeals Process
Understanding the process helps you navigate what can be a lengthy system:
Step 1: Initial Application
- Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone, or in person
- Gather medical records, work history, medications list
- Decision time: 3-6 months average
- Approval rate: ~33% (67% denied)
Step 2: Reconsideration (If Denied)
- Must appeal within 60 days of denial
- Different examiner reviews your case
- Decision time: 2-6 months
- Approval rate: ~13%
Step 3: ALJ Hearing (If Denied Again)
- Request hearing within 60 days
- Wait time: 12-18 months average
- Appear before Administrative Law Judge
- Can bring attorney and witnesses
- Approval rate: ~50%+
Step 4: Appeals Council (If Denied)
- Request review within 60 days
- Rarely grants reviews or new hearings
- Decision time: 6-12+ months
Step 5: Federal Court
- File in federal district court
- Must have attorney
- Rarely necessary
Total Timeline Examples:
- Approved at initial: 3-6 months
- Approved at reconsideration: 6-12 months
- Approved at ALJ hearing: 18-36 months
- Approved after Appeals Council: 24-48+ months
Critical Tips:
- Don't miss the 60-day appeal deadlines
- Continue medical treatment during appeals
- Consider hiring an attorney after initial denial
- Never start a new application instead of appealing—you lose back benefits
Back Pay and Retroactive Benefits
If approved, you may receive substantial back payments covering the period you were disabled:
SSDI Back Pay:
- Retroactive benefits: Up to 12 months before application date
- Waiting period: First 5 full months after onset date are unpaid
- Example: Applied January 2026, onset date July 2024
- Retroactive: July 2024 - January 2025 (before application)
- Minus 5-month wait: July-November 2024
- Back pay covers: December 2024 through approval
SSI Back Pay:
- No retroactive benefits before application
- Paid from application date forward
- No 5-month waiting period
How Back Pay Is Calculated: Monthly benefit × months owed = Total back pay
Example SSDI Back Pay:
- Onset date: January 2024
- Approved: December 2025
- Monthly benefit: $2,000
- Waiting period: January-May 2024 (5 months unpaid)
- Back pay: June 2024 - December 2025 = 19 months
- Total back pay: $2,000 × 19 = $38,000
Attorney Fees Come From Back Pay:
- Disability attorneys typically charge 25% of back pay
- Fees capped at $7,200 (whichever is less)
- Example: $38,000 back pay → $7,200 fee cap applies
- You keep: $38,000 - $7,200 = $30,800
SSI Back Pay Installments: If SSI back pay exceeds 3× monthly benefit:
- Paid in 3 installments, 6 months apart
- Exception: Debts for housing, food, medical can be paid immediately
Medicare and Medicaid Coverage
Disability benefits come with important health insurance provisions:
Medicare (SSDI Recipients):
- Eligibility: After 24 consecutive months of SSDI benefits
- Coverage begins the 25th month of entitlement
- Parts available:
- Part A (hospital): Free for most
- Part B (medical): $202.90/month premium (2026)
- Part D (prescription): Varies by plan
Important Exception - ALS/ESRD:
- ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease): Medicare starts immediately
- End-Stage Renal Disease: Medicare available regardless of age
Medicaid (SSI Recipients):
- Most states: Automatic Medicaid with SSI approval
- "209(b) states" (11 states): Separate Medicaid application
- Coverage: Usually more comprehensive than Medicare
- No premiums in most states
Concurrent Coverage: If you receive both SSDI and SSI:
- Immediate Medicaid through SSI
- Medicare after 24-month SSDI wait
- Can have both (dual eligible)
- Medicare becomes primary, Medicaid secondary
Medicare Savings Programs: Low-income Medicare beneficiaries may qualify for:
- QMB: Pays Part B premium + deductibles
- SLMB: Pays Part B premium only
- QI: Pays Part B premium only (higher income limit)
- Extra Help/LIS: Reduces Part D costs
Pro Tips
- 💡Apply as soon as you become disabled—the 5-month SSDI waiting period starts from your onset date, not application date.
- 💡Apply for both SSDI and SSI simultaneously—SSA will determine which programs you qualify for.
- 💡Keep all medical appointments and follow treatment recommendations—gaps in treatment hurt your case.
- 💡If denied, ALWAYS appeal within 60 days rather than starting a new application—you'll lose potential back benefits.
- 💡Consider hiring a disability attorney after initial denial—they're paid only from back benefits if you win (capped at $7,200).
- 💡Request copies of your medical records and review them for accuracy before your hearing.
- 💡Keep a detailed symptom journal documenting how your condition affects daily activities and work ability.
- 💡Don't downplay your symptoms to doctors—medical records should accurately reflect your limitations.
- 💡Report all work activity to SSA immediately to avoid overpayments and potential fraud allegations.
- 💡Understand work incentives like Trial Work Period before attempting to work—you won't lose benefits immediately.
- 💡If you receive SSI, report any changes in income, resources, or living situation within 10 days.
- 💡Get a copy of your Social Security Statement at ssa.gov to verify your earnings history is accurate.
- 💡For ALJ hearings, prepare to explain your worst days and how symptoms prevent work—judges want to hear your story.
- 💡Keep all correspondence from SSA and respond to requests promptly—missed deadlines can derail your case.
- 💡If terminally ill, request expedited processing under the TERI (Terminal Illness) or Compassionate Allowances programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this is called "concurrent benefits." If your SSDI payment is lower than the SSI maximum ($994/month in 2026), you may receive SSI to make up the difference, as long as you meet SSI's income and resource limits ($2,000 individual, $3,000 couple). This combination provides immediate Medicaid coverage while you wait 24 months for Medicare. Example: If your SSDI is $600/month, you could receive approximately $394/month in SSI (after the $20 general exclusion), bringing your total to $994/month.
