The United States Government, through the Social Security Administration (SSA), has confirmed the next SSI payment for those who are on these disability benefits. As a matter of fact, the February payment for the Supplemental Security Income program will be deposited on January 31, 1 day before the normal due date.
Bear in mind that the Social Security Administration also allows seniors to qualify for this Federal payment. Therefore, it is not just for people who have a qualifying disability or are blind.
Social Security confirms average payments for SSI disability benefits
As of December 2024, the average payment for all SSI recipients is worth $696. That is what the Social Security’s Monthly Statistical Snapshot has unveiled in January.
Other average payment amounts have been confirmed by age groups. If you are on these disability benefits and are aged 18-64, you can receive an average payment of about $743.
Those who are aged 65 or older will get about $575 on average. Those on these disability benefits aged under 18 will have the largest average payment, which will be about $812 on average on January 31, 2025.
SSDI payment dates for eligible disability benefit recipients
If you are receiving SSI and SSDI, your Social Security payment will be sent on February 3, 2025. On average, all the SSDI payments will be about $1,580 after the COLA increase for 2025.
February 3 will be your monthly payment too if you began receiving Social Security Disability Benefits before May 1997. Those who began collecting disability payments after April 30, 1997, will get checks or direct deposits on:
- February 12: if born from the 1st to the 10th
- February 19: if born from the 11th to the 20th
- February 26: if born from the 21st to the 31st
Social Security Disability Benefits can be up to $4,018 after the COLA increase. However, this maximum amount is only for a few workers with a disability. The reason why so few recipients can get so much money is the difficulty in meeting the requirements Social Security set. Only high earners may qualify.
Eligibility criteria for receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Below are the general eligibility criteria for receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. These requirements are set by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the United States.
To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must meet the work requirement, often referred to as “insured status.” This means you must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security and paid Social Security payroll taxes (FICA). Typically, you need to have earned a certain number of “work credits,” which depend on your age at the time you become disabled. In general, 40 credits (equivalent to 10 years of work) are required, with at least 20 of those credits earned in the 10 years before you became disabled. However, younger workers can qualify with fewer credits.
The medical definition of disability is another essential criterion. Your medical condition must be severe enough to prevent you from performing any substantial gainful activity (SGA). As of 2023, SGA is defined as earning more than $1,470 per month for non-blind individuals. Additionally, the disability must have lasted—or be expected to last—for at least 12 months or result in death. The SSA evaluates whether you can perform the work you did previously or adjust to other work based on your medical condition, age, education, and work experience.
There is no minimum age to apply for SSDI benefits; however, you must be under your full retirement age. Once you reach full retirement age, SSDI benefits automatically convert to Social Security retirement benefits.
The application process requires comprehensive medical documentation to support your claim. You need to provide records from doctors, hospitals, clinics, and other relevant healthcare providers. Sometimes, the SSA may request additional medical evaluations at no cost to you to confirm the limitations caused by your condition.
If your SSDI claim is approved, your case will undergo periodic reviews to ensure that you still meet the SSA’s definition of disability. If your condition improves or you return to work above the SGA level, your benefits may be reduced or terminated.
For more information or to apply for SSDI benefits, you can visit the SSA’s official website at https://www.ssa.gov or contact your local Social Security office. They can provide guidance on your specific situation and assist with the application process.