SSDI Benefit Calculator 2026
Estimate your monthly Social Security Disability payment using the official SSA formula
SSDI Benefit Estimator
Enter your work history to estimate your monthly payment
2026 Key Numbers
- Average benefit
- $1,630/mo
- Maximum benefit
- $4,152/mo
- Federal SSI
- $994/mo
- SGA limit
- $1,690/mo
- Credit value
- $1,890
- Bend point 1
- $1,226
- Bend point 2
- $7,391
Don't have enough work credits?
SSI pays $994/month with no work history required — you just need limited income and assets.
Check SSI eligibilityCreate a free account at SSA.gov to see your actual estimate based on your real earnings record.
My Social Security →How SSDI Works
SSA Calculates Your AIME
SSA takes your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusts for wage inflation, and averages them to get your monthly AIME.
PIA Formula Converts It
The PIA formula applies progressive rates to your AIME — 90%, then 32%, then 15% — protecting lower earners.
You Receive Monthly Payments
Once approved, your PIA becomes your monthly benefit. Medicare eligibility starts after 24 months.
2026 PIA Formula
Example: $2,000/mo AIME → 90% × $1,226 + 32% × $774 = $1,103 + $248 = $1,351/month.
SSDI Frequently Asked Questions
How is my SSDI benefit calculated?
SSA calculates your SSDI benefit using a formula called the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). First, SSA averages your highest 35 years of inflation-indexed earnings to get your AIME (Average Indexed Monthly Earnings). Then it applies a progressive formula: you receive 90% of the first $1,226 of your AIME, plus 32% of earnings between $1,226 and $7,391, plus 15% of anything above $7,391. The result is your monthly benefit, capped at $4,018 in 2026.
How much SSDI will I get in 2026?
The average SSDI payment in 2026 is approximately $1,580 per month. The maximum is $4,018 per month — which requires a long work history at high earnings. Low-to-moderate earners typically receive $800–$1,800 per month. Your benefit depends entirely on your own earnings record, not your current income or savings.
How many work credits do I need for SSDI?
Most people need 40 work credits total, with 20 earned in the last 10 years. You can earn up to 4 credits per year — in 2026, each credit requires $1,890 in earnings. Younger workers need fewer credits: if you become disabled before age 24, you may only need 6 credits earned in the last 3 years. The exact requirement depends on your age at the time of disability.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history. You must have paid into Social Security through payroll taxes to qualify. The benefit amount depends on your earnings record. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is needs-based — no work history required, but you must have limited income and assets. The 2026 SSI federal payment is $994/month. Many people qualify for both programs simultaneously (called "concurrent benefits").
How long does SSDI approval take?
The initial SSDI application takes 3–6 months for a decision. About 20% of applicants are approved at the initial stage. If denied, you can request reconsideration (another 3–6 months), then a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), which can take 12–24 months. Most approvals happen at the ALJ hearing stage. Throughout the process, SSA pays back benefits from your onset date (minus the 5-month waiting period).
What counts as a disability for SSDI?
SSA defines disability as a physical or mental condition that prevents you from doing any substantial gainful work (SGA), lasts or is expected to last 12+ months, or is expected to result in death. The SGA threshold in 2026 is $1,690/month for non-blind individuals. SSA evaluates whether your condition prevents you from doing your past work or any other work that exists in the economy — this is a strict standard that many applicants fail.
Can I work while receiving SSDI?
Yes, with limits. SSA allows a Trial Work Period (TWP) — 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) within a 60-month window — where you can earn any amount without losing benefits. After the TWP, months where you earn over $1,690 (the 2026 SGA amount) count against your benefits. SSA also offers a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility where benefits can be reinstated quickly if your earnings drop below SGA.
What is backpay for SSDI?
If your SSDI application is approved, SSA pays back benefits to your established onset date — the date your disability began. There is a mandatory 5-month waiting period before benefits start, so the earliest backpay can cover is the 6th month after your onset date. If your case took 18 months to process, you could receive 13+ months of backpay as a lump sum. Backpay is sometimes paid in installments if it exceeds $3,000 and you also receive SSI.