How are the Calculations made?
This section contains answers to questions on SSDI and SSI eligibility, as well as the disability application and appeals process .
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Your SSDI benefits are based on the amount of income on which you have paid social security taxes. Your average earnings are called your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). Using your AIME, the SSA will calculate your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). As of 2023, the PIA is calculated by taking 90% of AIME under $1,115, 32% of AIME between $1,115 and $6,721, and 15% of AIME greater than $6,721. The final PIA amount is the maximum amount of SSDI benefits that you are entitled to.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a needs based program and unlike SSDI does not depend on your past work history. The maximum amount of SSI benefits you can receive is $914 as a disabled individual and $1,371 if your spouse is also disabled. If you currently have a monthly income, half of anything you earn over $85 per month will be deducted from the maximum amount of benefits in order to determine your SSI amount.