How are SSDI benefits calculated?

Monthly Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payment amounts are calculated based on your salary before you become disabled and the number of years you worked while paying Social Security taxes.

If you’re wondering how much your SSDI payment would be if a long-term injury or illness prevented you from working, the best place to start is your annual Social Security statement:

  • Go to the “Your Estimated Benefits” section.
  • Look for the rows labeled “Disability,” “Family,” and “Survivors.”
  • The information in the third column is the amount you were eligible for at the time your statement was prepared.
  • If you need a copy of your Social Security statement or need help obtaining one, call (877)261‑1947 for assistance.

SSDI Eligibility Document Sample

If you think you may be eligible for SSDI, contact us today and we’ll help you get started.

Learn about taxes on Social Security disability benefits »
Find out how you can return to work and keep your benefits »

Benefit Estimate Calculator

On SSA’s website, you can access benefit estimate calculators to estimate potential disability, retirement, and survivor benefits using different retirement dates and levels of future earnings. The estimates are based on the information you enter and are not linked to your earnings history.