When people mention Social Security payments, they’re typically referring to retirement benefits—but the Social Security Administration (SSA) also operates the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. Most people will never receive SSDI payments—the program is only for people who experience medical problems that are likely to prevent them from working for at least one full year.
Bottom Line Personal asked Social Security expert Martha Shedden to explain who might qualify, how much they might receive, what the Social Security disability payment schedule is for 2025 and more…
Strict Medical Standards
The Social Security “Blue Book” has a long list of medical conditions that could qualify for SSDI. These include…
- Impaired hearing or sight
- Respiratory problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Heart problems, such as congenital heart disease
- Digestive system problems, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Immune system disorders, including inflammatory arthritis
- Neurological disorders, such as epilepsy
- Mental health disorders, including depressive issues
- Cancer
- And many more.
But not everyone who has been diagnosed with one of the conditions listed will qualify for benefits—specific medical criteria must be met and extensive documentation from health-care professionals is needed. On the other hand, the fact that a health problem is not listed in the Blue Book does not necessarily mean that someone suffering from that condition won’t qualify for SSDI, though it probably will make the always challenging SSDI application process even more daunting.
Work History Matters
SSDI is an “earned benefit,” just like Social Security retirement benefits, which means that a substantial work history is necessary to qualify. But while the work history requirements for retirement benefits are relatively straightforward—the equivalent of 10 years of work history typically is the minimum—rules for SSDI are more complex, to account for the fact that someone who is disabled while relatively young might not have had enough time to build an extensive work history. Best place to check whether someone’s work history qualifies for SSDI: SSA.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html. Helpful: Among other rules, applicants typically must have worked at least five of the 10 years immediately preceding the disability, though people disabled at or before age 31 could potentially qualify even if they fall short of this.
Benefit Amounts and Schedule
As of early 2025, the average SSDI monthly benefit was around $1,580, significantly less than the average retirement benefit of around $1,980. But those are just averages. The size of the SSDI payments that a particular applicant receives depends in part on his/her earnings history, much as it does with Social Security retirement payments. But while retirement benefits are calculated based on the applicant’s 35 top earnings years, adjusted for inflation, SSDI benefits are calculated using a smaller number of top-earning years—the exact number depends on the applicant’s age at the time of disability.
Unlike with retirement benefits, which are reduced if claimed before the applicant reaches full retirement age, the size of SSDI benefits is not directly linked to the applicant’s age when they’re claimed.
SSDI benefits are paid once a month, and the payment schedule is based on birthdate. Recipients born on the first to the tenth of a month receive their benefit on the second Wednesday of each month…those born on the 11th to the 20th of the month, the third Wednesday…those born on the 21st to the 31st, the fourth Wednesday.
Qualifying spouses and dependent children often can receive benefits based on a wage earner’s SSDI, much as they can with retirement benefits.
When an SSDI recipient reaches full retirement age, he/she transitions from receiving an SSDI benefit to a retirement benefit. This does not change the amount of the benefit. It is a change only in the name of the benefit and the trust fund from which it is paid.
Applying for SSDI
The SSDI application process is challenging, and approximately 70% of applications are rejected. If their initial application is denied, applicants should strongly consider working with an attorney who specializes in SSDI claims. These attorneys typically receive payment only if the claim is approved. If several experienced disability attorneys opt not to take a case, that’s a strong indication that the Social Security Administration is likely to reject that application.
Also: People who receive payments from employer-provided disability insurance policies sometimes are required by the terms of those policies to apply for SSDI. Any SSDI benefits they receive would offset some or all of their employer-provided disability insurance benefits. Note also that public disability payments, such as state or worker’s compensation, reduce SSDI benefits…but disability from private insurance does not.
