For individuals unable to work due to a health condition or disability, two primary types of federal disability benefits are available: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The key difference between the two lies in work history.
SSDI is geared toward those who have worked for years and contributed to Social Security taxes but can no longer work due to a disability. On the other hand, SSI is available for low-income individuals with little or no work history, who are also unable to work due to a medical condition.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages both benefits. As of 2022, about 7.9 million disabled workers receive SSDI, while SSI assists roughly 6.5 million people.
Average Disability Benefits
The average monthly SSDI benefit for disabled workers is $1,483.10, though it can go up to a maximum of $3,822 in 2024. SSI benefits, in comparison, are much lower, averaging around $600.74 monthly, with a maximum of $943 for 2024. These benefits, while helpful, are often not enough to cover basic living expenses. A study by Atticus revealed that SSDI rarely covers half of the living costs, and SSI accounts for less than one-third, regardless of where someone lives in the U.S.
As of October 2023, the average monthly SSDI payment was $1,665.14. Payments are calculated based on an individual’s lifetime earnings and the Social Security taxes they’ve paid. According to a 2022 report, Delaware had the highest SSDI payment average at $1,599.97, while the District of Columbia recorded the lowest at $1,321.04.
SSDI payments by State
Here’s the complete SSDI average monthly payment by state table, as of 2022:
Alabama $1,454.98
Alaska $1,473.09
Arizona $1,542.92
Arkansas $1,415.43
California $1,524.99
Colorado $1,497.71
Connecticut $1,549.41
Delaware $1,599.97
District of Columbia $1,321.04
Florida $1,521.74
Georgia $1,485.38
Hawaii $1,532.11
Idaho $1,456.79
Illinois $1,495.07
Indiana $1,480.12
Iowa $1,412.23
Kansas $1,439.17
Kentucky $1,446.53
Louisiana $1,421.25
Maine $1,395.33
Maryland $1,542.21
Massachusetts $1,493.30
Michigan $1,508.94
Minnesota $1,475.73
Mississippi $1,416.49
Missouri $1,441.07
Montana $1,407.08
Nebraska $1,391.82
Nevada $1,562.44
New Hampshire $1,528.42
New Jersey $1,648.06
New Mexico $1,398.19
New York $1,540.57
North Carolina $1,483.98
North Dakota $1,388.96
Ohio $1,422.89
Oklahoma $1,423.04
Oregon $1,459.64
Pennsylvania $1,493.44
Rhode Island $1,464.35
South Carolina $1,512.46
South Dakota $1,391.16
Tennessee $1,446.63
Texas $1,463.70
Utah $1,473.63
Vermont $1,398.34
Virginia $1,497.40
Washington $1,494.32
West Virginia $1,465.15
Wisconsin $1,460.01
Wyoming $1,485.89
How SSDI is calculated
The SSA determines SSDI benefits by examining your highest-earning 35 years, adjusting for inflation, and applying percentages to calculate your **Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)**. The formula for 2024 includes 90% of the first $1,174 of earnings, 32% between $1,174 and $7,078, and 15% beyond that. This calculation ensures that individuals with lower lifetime earnings receive proportionally higher SSDI payments.
