How Much Does Permanent Disability Pay?

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How Does the SSA Determine Who Receives the Maximum Benefit Amount?
How Does the Social Security Administration Calculate Permanent Disability Pay?
Are There Any Other Factors That Might Affect Your SSDI Benefit Amount?
Can You Qualify for Back Pay for Missed Disability Payments?
How Long Can I Receive Permanent Disability Pay?
The Benefits of Working With Our Disability Lawyers

Updated October 3, 2024

How much the Social Security Administration (SSA) pays you for permanent disability depends on your circumstances. The SSA uses a complex formula to determine how much you draw from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Pittsburgh Social Security Disability lawyers can help you understand how much compensation you are entitled to for a permanent disability.

The average monthly payout for disabled individuals will vary based on your state, but in Pennsylvania, the state average was approximately $1,777 as of 2022 (Table 38). The national average was $1,714 as of March 2024. Of course, your amount can vary based on many factors.

How Does the SSA Determine Who Receives the Maximum Benefit Amount?

SSDI payments differ because the SSA bases its monthly payments on your earnings in the years before you apply for disability. The SSA refers to the analysis of your pre-disability earnings as “average indexed monthly earnings” and may consider up to 35 years of a claimant’s work history.

This wage-based calculation means that claimants with a higher weekly wage, monthly wage, or salary generally receive a larger monthly payment, up to the maximum benefit amount. Those who earned only a modest income before being disabled generally receive less money each month.

In some cases, this means those who suffer a permanent impairment at a younger age receive a smaller monthly check than someone who suffers a permanent disability at an older age. Older claimants have often worked their way further up the earnings ladder and earn a higher income than their younger counterparts.

Our attorneys can work to obtain the disability benefits you may be entitled to if you have a condition that will prevent you from working for 12 months or more.

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How Does the Social Security Administration Calculate Permanent Disability Pay?

While you could use the same formula the SSA uses to calculate your benefit amount, this would require first figuring out the numbers used in the formula, including your:

Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME)
Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)

In addition to requiring several steps, it is often difficult to know exactly which numbers the SSA is using, making it hard to calculate an accurate projection of your likely SSDI benefits.

You can log into your Social Security account and use the free benefits calculator. This calculator will use the same numbers the SSA would use if you filed for Social Security disability benefits today, and it should give you an accurate benefit amount for the current year.

You could also work with a lawyer from our firm to understand your disability payments.

We know you’re hurting. We can help. Free case evaluations, home and hospital visits.

Are There Any Other Factors That Might Affect Your SSDI Benefit Amount?

While the SSA website can give you a good idea of your benefit amount, the site does not account for some things that could affect your payout through Social Security. Some additional factors could decrease or increase your monthly disability payment.

Each claimant seeking disability coverage through the SSA has a unique medical history, backstory, and claim. Having an attorney review your personal history and lead your disability claim is one way to understand the disability award you are entitled to.

Factors That May Decrease Your Benefits Amount

If you receive other types of disability benefits, they could decrease your monthly SSDI payment. Such benefits may include any payments you receive through workers’ compensation insurance.

However, not all other types of disability benefits will affect your SSDI. Service-connected veterans benefits, for example, do not typically reduce your monthly payments from SSDI.

Factors That May Increase Your Benefit Amount

The only way to increase your monthly benefit amount is to qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You may qualify for SSI if your family has a low household income and few assets. This program is for those most in need.

You could qualify for SSI and SSDI benefits at the same time, which is known as concurrent benefits. However, the amount of your SSDI payments will impact how much SSI you get.

Costs-of-Living Adjustments

Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) are increases in SSDI and SSI benefits to counteract inflation. These adjustments ensure that the purchasing power of beneficiaries does not diminish over time due to rising costs. COLA rates are determined annually based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

If the CPI-W indicates that the cost of living has increased over the past year, a proportional increase is applied to benefit payments, starting in January of the following year, helping beneficiaries manage the financial demands of inflation.

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Can You Qualify for Back Pay for Missed Disability Payments?

There is a five-month elimination period—or waiting period—from the date you apply for SSDI benefits before receiving your first monthly payment. However, it usually takes much longer than five months for the SSA to process your application. If you need to appeal a denial of a claim, it could take over a year to get approved.

During that time, your unpaid benefits accrue (or stack up). When the SSA finally approves you for SSDI, you should receive a payment for these back benefits.

It is essential to note you may not receive full back pay dating back to the date you first applied. This might occur if the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who reviews your appeal decides the date you became impaired happened after the date you noted on your application.

Seeking complete back benefits is another reason you might want to consider hiring a Social Security disability lawyer from our team.

Getting Retroactive Benefits From Social Security

If you suffered a qualifying impairment before the date you first applied for SSDI benefits, you could also qualify for retroactive benefits.

As an example, say that:

You suffered a severe work-related injury
You initially pursued workers’ compensation benefits through an insurance company, hoping that you would recover and be able to return to work
You eventually realized your injury would cause permanent disability and chose to file a claim for SSDI

In this case, you may pursue retroactive benefits from the date of your injury, even though you only filed your SSDI claim much later. We can help you pursue permanent disability benefits even if you did not file an SSDI claim immediately.

We can address all the legal hurdles that may be keeping you from getting a fair settlement.

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How Long Can I Receive Permanent Disability Pay?

For individuals on permanent disability, SSDI and SSI benefits are generally provided for as long as the disability persists. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) periodically reviews cases to confirm the ongoing nature of the disability.

The frequency of these reviews depends on the expected duration of the disability, so beneficiaries can expect a review every 3 to 7 years for permanent conditions. If a review determines significant improvement in the individual’s condition, benefits may be discontinued.

Additionally, benefits can be terminated if the recipient starts earning above the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level, demonstrating the capability to engage in competitive employment.

The Benefits of Working With Our Disability Lawyers

You might not know how to tackle your Social Security disability benefits case by yourself. This is where our team comes in. Our lawyers can analyze your permanent disabling condition and advocate for you. You can rest, recover, and continue with your life while we utilize our resources to help you. Our legal team may assist you by:

Explaining the process ahead of us
Representing you at any SSDI-related hearings
Communicating with the SSA on your behalf
Helping you gather supplemental information to add to your claim or appeal
Answering your questions and providing regular updates regarding your claim or appeal

You might get confused or overwhelmed trying to figure out the SSD system on your own—many claimants do. Our team will take the pressure off you and spare you from this often-confusing process. This is a high-stakes, complex process, and your disability may require your full attention.

Contact one of our area Social Security Disability lawyers today to learn more:

You Can Partner With a Team That Prioritizes Clients and Their Needs

Some of our clients have left testimonials detailing our commitment to service:

“…They sincerely believe in helping others and because of Berger and Green, my case ended successfully. These benefits have changed my life and I don’t have to worry anymore. Berger and Green were with me and came through for me in every possible way.” – Joe L.

We aim to recover the benefits you deserve for a disabling injury or illness. We will show you respect and compassion throughout the claims process.

Call Berger and Green Today for a Free Consultation About an SSDI Claim or Appeal

At our law firm, our permanent disability team will help you navigate the disability process and fight for the benefits you deserve. We could also file a personal injury case on your behalf if your impairment occurred because of someone else’s negligence. We can explain the process of pursuing the Social Security payments you need for your financial future.

Call Berger and Green today for your free consultation. We will assess your case and explain your eligibility for benefits.