SSDI is the most important disability benefit in the United States together with the Supplemental Security Income. Both of them support, from a financial point of view, millions of Americans who cannot work due to their condition.
Although the average SSDI payment is just $1,537, the largest benefit can be up to $3,822. To get it, remember that you must have had jobs covered by Social Security and three more requirements.
Jobs covered by Social Security are not enough to get $3,822 from SSDI
There are 3 important things to take into account to get the largest check from the Administration while on Disability Insurance. Even if you do not achieve them in full, working toward them will help you get more money.
The first, one is to work for a minimum of 35 years. However, if some workers may need to work a few more years because of the difficulty in achieving the following requirements.
In fact, workers must have earned the taxable maximum (contribution and benefit base for 35 years). That is $168,600 in just 2024. It increases every year, so it becomes more complex as time goes by.
The age at which you file for SSDI matters
The age when a worker applies for SSDI is really important. Nevertheless, not many disability recipients can really choose when to file because it is when their disability appears.
It could be close to retirement but it could also be close to their 30s. So, the last condition to get $3,822 is to file as late as Social Security allows you to do it to get the largest benefit payment in 2024.
Retirement benefits also work in a similar way. Those who file at 70 are the only ones who can receive $4,873 from Social Security. As for the paydays in August, they will be on August 2 (pre-May 1997 retirees, and for those on SSI simultaneously) and August 14, 21, 28 (birthdays from 1-10, 11-20, 21-31).