The Social Security Administration (SSA) distributes SSDI payments to disabled workers, along with retirement payments, through June 2025 according to a set schedule based on two factors: the year in which benefits were claimed and the beneficiary’s birthday.
For recipients who claimed SSDI payments before May 1997, the payment date is the third day of each month (except on weekends, when the payment is advanced to the nearest business day); for those who claimed after that date, disbursements are made on Wednesdays, assigned by the beneficiary’s date of birth.
Dates for post-1997 SSDI beneficiaries
For post-1997 beneficiaries, the first group of payments for beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of the month occurred on June 11. This date corresponds to the second Wednesday of June.
The second group, those born between the 11th and the 20th, will receive their payment on June 18. This date is the third Wednesday in June. It represents the second main payment wave of the month, followed by disabled workers with SSDI whose birthdays are between the 21st and 31st of any month, whose payment date is Wednesday, June 25.
Some will receive up to $4,018 in SSDI payments this month.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) comes in variable amounts. The maximum monthly payment authorized for 2025 is $4,018. This upper limit applies to beneficiaries with high tax history.
The national average for SSDI payments varies depending on the source. Reports indicate an average of $1,751.08 recorded in February 2025. Other estimates suggest an average closer to $1,580 per month.
Recent SSDI recipients typically receive amounts around $1,753 per month. This figure reflects calculations based on recent income and the current SSA formula. Individual variations are significant.
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to SSDI, the SSA also established the fixed federal maximum amounts for 2025. An individual can receive up to $967 per month. A couple who qualifies jointly for SSI has a maximum of $1,450.
Requirements to receive SSDI payments
The eligibility requirements for SSDI in 2025 are structured around three fundamental pillars. The first pillar requires sufficient work history under the Social Security system. A minimum number of work credits must be accumulated.
The exact number of credits required varies depending on the age at which the disability begins. The worker must have contributed sufficiently and be covered at the time the disabling medical condition began. This verifies the contribution to the system.
The second pillar requires a disabling medical condition. The SSA defines this as a “medically determinable” disability. This condition must prevent substantial gainful activity (SGA). It must also be permanent or last at least 12 months.
A medical condition may also qualify if it is expected to lead to death. Diagnosis and medical evidence are crucial to this determination. The SSA conducts rigorous evaluations of the submitted medical documentation.
The third pillar assesses inability to work. The applicant must demonstrate that they cannot perform their previous job due to their condition. They must also be able to adapt to other types of work, taking into account their age, education, and experience.
There is a mandatory five-month waiting period after the onset of disability. SSDI benefits begin after this waiting period. No payments are made during these initial five months.
SSDI calculation methodology
The SSDI benefit calculation uses the AIME (Average Indexed Monthly Earnings). This average is based on the highest 35 years of income subject to Social Security tax. Years with lower or no income reduce the AIME.
The SSA applies a formula with “bend points” to the AIME to obtain the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). For 2025, the breakpoints are: 90% of the first $1,226, 32% of income between $1,226 and $7,391, and 15% over $7,391.
An example illustrates the calculation: for an AIME of $2,280, the PIA would be $1,440.68. This results in 90% of $1,226 = $1,103.40 and 32% of $1,054 = $337.28. The PIA determines the base monthly benefit before adjustments.
There are strict work limits to maintain SSDI eligibility. In 2025, earning more than $1,620 gross per month generally exceeds the Substantial Earning Activity (SGA) limit. This may result in the suspension of benefits.
The SGA limit for individuals considered legally blind is higher, set at $2,700 per month by 2025. Exceeding these limits indicates the ability to perform substantial work. The SSA monitors earnings from active work.
The COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment) for 2025 was 2.5%. This increase raised the average monthly benefit by approximately $50. The COLA is automatically applied to offset inflation.
