Payment social security disability benefits pay chart

SSDI/SSI Payment Amounts in Pennsylvania

If you’re covered by Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or are entitled to Supplemental Security Income (SSI), what is the payment structure? What payments may you receive, and for how long? Is there a maximum SSI disability amount?

If you have questions about SSDI or SSI payments in Pennsylvania, we at Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC have the answers you need. Give us a call at (888) 498-3023!

We welcome you to call our offices to talk about your unique claim, or you can continue reading for basic information about Social Security disability pay in Pennsylvania and nationwide.

SSDI Stats & Figures

SSDI benefits are calculated based on your average lifetime earnings, not on the extent of your disability or your household income. The reasoning behind this is that you’ve worked and paid Social Security taxes to become “insured” under SSDI. If you become disabled and can no longer work, you have the opportunity to take back some of the money you’ve paid in.

  • About 8.5 million people receive SSDI benefits, which totaled approximately $144 billion in 2018.
  • In 2020, the average benefit for disabled workers receiving SSDI was $1,258/month.

SSI Payment Amounts: 2022

Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is paid based on financial need. In Pennsylvania, you must have little income and few assets. The total value of your assets must be less than $2,000 (excluding your home and usually your car). A person applying for SSI does not need to meet work requirements or even have any employment history at all to qualify, as long as he or she has a disabling mental or physical condition that prevents him or her from working.

In Pennsylvania, the maximum SSI disability amounts for 2022 are:

  • For an individual living independently: $841 monthly
  • For a couple living independently: $1,261 monthly
  • For an individual living in someone else’s household: $522 monthly
  • For a couple living in someone else’s household: $783.34 monthly

These figures are adjusted regularly for inflation. You may also be entitled to money from the state of Pennsylvania, which supplements federal SSI benefits for disabled residents. If you receive SSI, you can also apply for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which can help you get more food without spending your SSI benefit. You may also be eligible for other benefits and services.

When Will My SSDI Payments Begin?

Social Security Disability payments will begin after your application is processed and approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA). There is a five-month waiting period before your SSDI payments can begin, which usually starts running when your application is approved or your disability begins, depending on the situation. This opens the door to SSDI backpay, which is essentially payment of back benefits while you were waiting for your application to be approved.

Learn More About Disability Payments in Pennsylvania

If you still have questions and want guidance through the SSDI or SSI application process, Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC is here to help. Our lawyers have decades of legal experience and the resources to take on the toughest disability claims for people suffering from all types of neurological, mental, immune, respiratory, and other disorders that prevent them from working.

Call (888) 498-3023 to find out more about Social Security disability payments and your rights.

Payment social security disability benefits pay chart
When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), one of your top concerns most likely is how much your monthly payment will be if you are eligible for benefits. You need this information so you can be certain that you have sufficient income to survive. However, how your monthly payment is determined is complicated.

How Your SSDI Payments Are Calculated

The severity of your disability will not affect the amount of SSDI benefits you receive. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will determine your payment based on your lifetime average earnings before you became disabled. Your benefit amount will be calculated using your covered earnings. These are your earnings at jobs where your employer took money out of your wages for Social Security or FICA.

Your SSDI monthly benefit will be based on your average covered earnings over a period of time, which is referred to as your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). The SSA uses these amounts in a formula to determine your primary insurance amount (PIA). This is the basic amount used to establish your benefit.

SSDI payments range on average between $800 and $1,800 per month. The maximum benefit you could receive in 2020 is $3,011 per month. The SSA has an online benefits calculator that you can use to obtain an estimate of your monthly benefits.

Other Income That May Reduce Your SSDI Payment

If you receive other government benefits, your monthly SSDI benefit could be reduced. Sources of income that could affect your payment include:

  • Worker’s compensation
  • Public disability benefits
  • Pension based on work not covered by Social Security, such as a government or foreign government pension

Can You Receive Retroactive Payments?

Once the SSA approves your SSDI application and calculates your monthly benefit, you may be entitled to a back pay award. How many months of payments you will receive will depend on the date you applied for benefits and your disability onset date.

If you are applying for SSDI benefits, you need the assistance of a skilled Social Security disability lawyer to get your application approved and receive the benefits you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team, fill out the online form on this page or call our Roswell office today.

What is the highest disability payment?

The monthly benefits issued for 2022 include: The current maximum Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for an individual is $841 per month. The current maximum amount for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI) is $3,148 per month.

What is the lowest SSDI payment?

The benefit amounts are not based on the recipient's historical earnings but set by the federal government. In 2022 the federal SSI benefit rate is $841 for an individual and $1,261 for a couple.

How much SSD will I get in 2022?

For 2022, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) FBR is $841 per month for an eligible individual and $1,261 per month for an eligible couple.

How much is Social Security check?

The monthly maximum Federal amounts for 2023 are $914 for an eligible individual, $1,371 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $458 for an essential person.