It is important to know, not everyone receives the same size disability check. The amount you receive is based on your average lifetime earnings.
Calculating SSD Payments
You may recall receiving a letter from the Social Security Administration around your birthday each year. This letter includes a summary of your lifetime earnings and your estimated disability benefit if you become disabled. The letter should give you an idea of how much monthly payments will be.
You can also access this information by creating a my social security account through the SSA’s website. It is a free and secure way to access your personal Social Security information at any time.
This account is beneficial for those who have applied for disability and for those considering applying for disability or retirement benefits.
The amount of your disability payment increases the more you have worked or earned in the past. If you are a disabled widow or widower, the rate depends on how much your late spouse worked or earned in the past.
Social Security Disability benefits come from payments made by working Americans. These payments are made in the form of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes and are withheld from your wages.
For a more in-depth explanation of the formula the SSA uses to determine benefits amount, visit our website social security calculation.
You can also visit the SSA’s website social security benefits calculator and use one of the many online calculators they provide.
For a free legal consultation, call 412-661-1400
Calculating SSI Payments
SSI recipients must meet the program’s income and asset restrictions and benefit amounts are not based upon past earnings.
The SSA establishes base SSI benefit amounts each year and publishes that information on its website. The amount of SSI that you will receive is the listed amount minus any countable income. Countable income is your total income minus any allowable income exclusions for both earned and unearned income.
Back Benefits
You may also be entitled to back benefits. These benefits begin accruing five months after the date of onset of your disability in SSD claims and from the date of your application in SSI claims, and they accrue until you win your Social Security Disability case. Because getting SSD or SSI benefits can take such a long time, many people are entitled to months and months of back benefits when they finally win their cases.
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Getting Help with Disability Benefits
To learn more about what benefits you may be eligible for, contact the Social Security Disability Attorneys at Berger and Green.
If you are considering applying for either SSD or SSI benefits, do not delay. Contact an experienced Social Security Disability Attorney to find out how. Call the Social Security Disability attorneys at Berger and Green at 412-661-1400 for a free no obligation consultation to discuss your claim.
Call or text 412-661-1400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
