Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) Amount
The monthly benefit received is different for each person. The Social Security Administration uses a complex formula to calculate disability benefits. The basis of this formula is the Social Security taxes you paid from earnings (covered earnings).
To see your entire covered earnings history, you can check your annual Social Security Statement online at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount. If you want to estimate the benefits you will receive based on estimated earnings, go to https://www.ssa.gov/planners/calculators. You can also call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 to find out your benefit amount.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Amount
To qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must be disabled and
• Have limited income and resources
• Be a citizen or a national of the U.S. or an alien who meets certain applicable requirements.
• Reside in one of the 50 States, District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands, except for a child of military parent(s) assigned to permanent duty anywhere outside the United States or certain students temporarily abroad.
The SSI amount awarded for 2020 is $783 for an eligible individual. Your actual monthly SSI payment will depend on whether you or your spouse have any countable income, whether you are married, and what state you live in. The federal benefit rate for couples for 2020 is $1,175.
Backpayments
For SSD applicants, you can be entitled to benefits prior to applying. To determine the back payments due to you, Social Security must first determine the date your disability began (onset date). Next, Social Security determines when you are approved (determination date). To calculate the back payment time period, you must subtract 5 months from the difference between the determination date and onset date as there is a five-month waiting period before benefits begin.
For example, if your established onset date is five months prior to the date your claim is approved, you will receive no back pay for those five months (5 – 5 = 0). If, however, your established onset date is 16 months prior to the date of approval, you will receive 11 months of past due benefits (16 – 5 = 11). Note you can only receive up to 12 months of backpay.
For those who are receiving SSI benefits, payments will generally begin the first full month after you are approved for benefits. There is no waiting period. For example, if you are approved for SSI benefits on January 1st, you can expect to begin receiving benefits on February 1st.
