If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), mark this date: March 12, 2025. Your next payment will arrive on that day if your birthday falls between the first and tenth of any month and you began collecting after May 1997. Isn’t that the case with you? Keep reading for more information.
The SSDI disability payment system is intended to provide financial assistance to workers who are unable to continue working because of poor health or an illness that has been diagnosed as lasting at least 12 months or resulting in death.
How is your SSDI payment calculated?
Your work history determines the amount of SSDI you receive. The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your 35 highest-earning years, adjusts for inflation, and averages them.
That amount becomes your monthly profit. In 2025, the average is around $1,580, but if your salary is at the taxable maximum for a sufficient number of years, this payment could be as high as $4,018.
There is no maximum number of years you can receive SSDI payments as long as you are eligible. You can receive benefits until you reach full retirement age (FRA, which is typically 66 or 67 depending on your birth year). From that point forward, SSDI payments become your Social Security retirement.
These are the four payments this month for SSDI beneficiaries:
- You have a birthday between the 1st and 10th: Second Wednesday (March 12).
- Birthdays between the 11th and the 20th: Third Wednesday (March 19).
- Birthdays between the 21st and 31st: Fourth Wednesday (March 26).
- If you started collecting before May 1997: Fixed payments on the 3rd of each month (in March it was the 3rd).
Not sure about your group? Log in to your My Social Security account on the SSA website. There you will see exact dates and amounts.
The 2.5% increase: your payment went up in 2025
Thanks to the cost of living adjustment (COLA), all SSDI beneficiaries received a 2.5% increase in their payments starting January 2025. For example, if you previously earned $1,500, you will now receive $1,537.50. This increase is already included in your March payment, so there are no surprises.
What if you have dependent family members?
If you have a spouse or children, you could receive additional benefits:
- Spouse: If you are 62 years of age or older, or caring for a child under 16 or disabled.
- Children: Children under 18 years of age (or 22 if disabled).
These extra payments can add up to 50% of your main benefit. For example, if your payment is $2,000, your family could receive up to $1,000 more. Check the requirements on the SSA website.
What happens if you work or have other income?
If you receive workers’ compensation or a pension, your SSDI could be reduced. Additionally, in 2025, the income limit to continue collecting SSDI without penalty is $1,550 per month (or $2,590 if you are blind). Exceeding these amounts could affect your benefit.
