In this post, we’ll review the 2021 Social Security Disability Benefits Pay Chart. Each year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) issues a pay chart with the updated annual disability benefits for individuals and families.
This annual disability benefit is adjusted upwards each year. This adjustment corresponds to the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that applies to Social Security Benefits. This COLA increase is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, known as CPI-W. For 2021, the COLA adjustment is 1.3%.
2021 SSI Disability Benefits Pay Chart
The chart below lists the monthly maximum for 2021 Social Security Disability payments. This chart is specific to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and does not apply to SSDI payments.
The monthly maximum Federal amounts for 2021 are $794 for an eligible individual, $1,191 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $397 for an essential person.
In general, monthly amounts for the next year are determined by increasing the unrounded annual amounts for the current year by the COLA effective for January of the next year. The new unrounded amounts are then each divided by 12 and the resulting amounts are rounded down to the next lower multiple of $1.
For SSI specifically, the monthly amount is reduced by subtracting monthly countable income. And, in the case of an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, the monthly amount is divided equally between the two.
2021 SSDI Disability Benefits Payments
SSDI is reserved for disabled workers with sufficient work credits who paid into the Federal disability program as a portion of their FICA taxes. This contrasts with the SSI program discussed above. SSI is a needs-based program for disabled individuals who do not have sufficient work credits to apply for SSDI.
Monthly SSDI payments differ based on a recipient’s previous earnings record. But, the COLA adjustment applies evenly to SSDI payments. This just means that any increase (1.3% for 2021) applies to your existing monthly payment amount. This change is reflected in the first monthly payment amount of the new year.
The estimated average Social Security disability benefit for a disabled worker receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is $1,259 per month, according to the latest figures from the Social Security Administration (SSA). These benefits are based on average lifetime earnings, not on household income or how severe an individual’s disability is.
Social Security Disability Lawyers
We are disability lawyers who help claimants apply for SSDI and SSI benefits. We can help you better understand the above information and what monthly payments you can expect if found disabled. Give us a call or contact us today for a consultation. Our consultations are always free and there is no obligation to hire the firm.
