Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal disability insurance program funded through payroll tax contributions. If you or your loved one is no longer able to work on a full-time basis due to an injury, illness, or medical condition, you may be entitled to monthly financial support through an SSDI claim.
This raises an important question: How much will I get in SSDI benefits? The answer depends largely on your average earnings. In other words, the more you paid into the system in payroll taxes, the more you are generally entitled to receive from disability. Below, our Arkansas Social Security disability lawyer offers a more thorough overview of how the SSA calculates payments.
Your Guide to How SSDI Benefits are Calculated in Arkansas
When a disability prevents you from working, it can put a significant financial strain on your family. The SSDI program exists to help provide much needed financial support. You should know the following four things about how SSDI benefits are calculated in Arkansas:
- Severity of Disability is Not a Factor: A common misconception is that SSDI payments are based on severity of disability. That is simply not how the system works. An SSDI applicant is either “disabled” or “not disabled” in the eyes of the law. If they are “disabled” then they can qualify for monthly payments on medical grounds. If they are “not disabled”, then they are not eligible for SSDI benefits.
- Lifetime Earnings are the Basis of the Calculation: To determine the value of your SSDI monthly benefit, the SSA will utilize a formula referred to as the Average Indexed Monthly Earnings or AIME. In effect, your monthly benefit will be calculated based on the amount of payroll taxes that you paid into the system. The higher your earnings, the higher your payments—up to a monthly maximum amount.
- A Statutory Maximum Monthly Payment is in Place: SSDI benefits are capped by federal law. For the year 2021, the most a recipient can get in SSDI compensation is $3,011 per month. Each year, the maximum monthly benefit is calculated in order to account for inflation.
- Average Payment is Between $1,200 and $1,300: According to data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the average SSDI payment is around $1,236 per month. For reference, 9 in 10 beneficiaries get less than $2,000 a month in SSDI benefits.
To get a better idea of how much you might be eligible to receive in monthly SSDI payments, you can refer to the disability benefits calculator offered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). An Arkansas SSDI claims attorney can provide you with answers to specific questions
Get Help From Our SSDI & SSI Lawyers Today
At GCC Law Firm, our Arkansas Social Security disability lawyers provide reliable legal guidance to people and families. If you have any questions about calculating SSDI benefits, we will help. Call us now or contact us online to set up your free, no obligation initial consultation. With a law office in Rogers, we represent clients in SSDI and SSI cases throughout Northwest Arkansas, Eastern Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas.