How much can a person receive in Social Security Disability Benefits?
Social Security Disability benefits come from two different programs. One, Supplemental Security Income (or SSISSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program. We pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children may also get SSI.), is based on financial need. As a result, if a person is found to be medically disabled according to Social Security’s rules, the Social Security Administration (or SSAThe Social Security Administration (SSA) is a U.S. government agency that administers social programs covering disability, retirement, and survivors' benefits. It was created in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.) reviews the individual’s finances. If their assets are below the necessary amount, that person will be entitled to monthly benefits. The maximum SSI benefit typically changes every year. For example, the maximum SSI benefit for 2020 is $783.00. As an individual’s assets approach the asset threshold those benefits will be reduced. Exceeding that threshold means the individual in question would not be entitled to SSI benefits even if they are found to be medically disabled.
The other program for disabled individuals is Social Security Disability Insurance (or SSDISocial Security Disability Insurance is a payroll tax-funded federal insurance program of the United States government. It is managed by the Social Security Administration and designed to provide income supplements to people who are physically restricted in their ability to be employed because of a notable disability.). SSDI is based on a qualified individual’s work history and how much that individual has paid into the Social Security system over the years. To qualify for this program, the qualified individual must obtain enough credits. If the individual has not paid into the system recently enough the individual is not qualified for SSDI.
If the individual in question does have a sufficient number of credits and is found to be medically disabled, Social Security takes the individual’s earnings and use a complicated formula to determine the individual’s SSDI benefit. If you are interested in your earnings history, please visit https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount. To see your potential SSDI benefit, please visit https://www.ssa.gov/planners/calculators. This information can also be found at your local Social Security office. While the maximum amount a person can receive changes every year, in 2020 the most a person can receive from SSDI is $3,011.00.
In certain situations, individuals can apply for both SSI and SSDI. If the individual in question is found to be medically disabled by SSA, SSDI benefits are considered when determining SSI eligibility. As a result, those SSDI benefits often totally offset any SSI benefits a qualified individual might be eligible for. Therefore, it is unlikely for an individual to receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time, but it is not impossible. It should be stressed, however, that it is impossible to receive the maximum SSDI benefit and SSI benefit at the same time.
Potential benefits can further be discussed with a Social Security Disability attorney.
