The Social Security Administration, also called SSA, has confirmed key payment dates for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries in the month of December, making this the last round of payments of the year for these individuals.
According to data from the SSA itself, in 2024 there were more than 8.4 million beneficiaries of SSDI coverage, distributed among 7.3 million disabled workers, 86,000 spouses, and 1.1 million children. As of mid-year, the average payment was $1,537 for workers, $419 for wives, and $493 for economically dependent children.
How are SSDI payments organized?
SSDI payments are distributed depending on two main factors: the benefit start date and the beneficiary’s birthday.
- Beneficiaries before May 1997: This group includes those who began receiving benefits before May 1997 get their payments on the third day of each month. However, if that date falls on a weekend or national holiday, as is sometimes the case, payment is advanced to the nearest business day.
- Beneficiaries after May 1997: For those starting after this date, the SSA uses a system based on dates of birth:
- From the 1st to the 10th of the month: They receive their payment on the second Wednesday of the month.
- From the 11th to the 20th of the month: Payment is made on the third Wednesday.
- From the 21st to the 31st of the month: Payments are delivered on the fourth Wednesday, except for this month, that has a holiday in this particular date.
Having explained this, these are the exact dates for the month of December:
- December 3: Payments for beneficiaries beginning before May 1997. This payment has already been processed (already sent to beneficiaries by this day.
- December 11: Payments for those born between the 1st and 10th of the month, with benefits after May 1997.
- December 18: Payment for those born between the 11th and the 20th of any month, beneficiaries after May 1997.
- December 24: Advance payment for those born between the 21st and 31st, since the 25th is a national Christmas holiday.
Who can receive SSDI benefits
To apply and be approved for SSDI benefits, a worker must meet certain requirements established by the SSA. First, the beneficiary must have a disability or blindness that significantly affects their ability to work for at least one year, or that could result in death. The SSA considers “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) a monthly income that exceeds $1,550, or $2,590 for blind people.
Generally, applicants must have worked for at least five of the last ten years prior to applying. However, there are special rules for younger people: those under 24, for example, do not need to have worked that long.
SSDI also includes benefits for certain family members of the beneficiary. Known as Family Benefits, they allow some family members to qualify to receive up to 50% of the beneficiary’s benefit amount, in addition to accessing Medicare based on the beneficiary’s work history.
On the other hand, those who have been out of the workforce for at least two years are automatically enrolled in Medicare, a benefit normally reserved for those over 65, but which offers exceptions for disabled people who receive SSDI.
