Estimate your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) monthly payment. Updated 2026 formulas.
Estimate your SSDI or SSI monthly payment
A disability attorney can navigate the appeals process and significantly improve your approval chances — with no upfront cost (contingency fee, capped at $7,200).
Get a Free Consultation →Two separate programs, different rules. Understanding which applies to you is the first step.
Social Security Disability Insurance
Supplemental Security Income
Simple inputs, official SSA formulas
Select SSDI if you have a work history, or SSI if you have limited income and resources.
For SSDI: your average monthly earnings. For SSI: your marital status, income, and state.
SSDI uses the 2026 PIA bend point formula. SSI uses the federal rate minus countable income plus your state supplement.
Use your estimate as a planning tool. Always verify your actual benefit at ssa.gov — only the SSA has your full earnings record.
Navigating the Social Security disability system is one of the most challenging processes any American can face. With a 67% initial denial rate and an appeal process that can take years, understanding your potential benefits before you apply is essential.
SSDI benefits are calculated using your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) — your lifetime earnings adjusted for wage inflation — and the SSA's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) formula. The 2026 bend points are $1,226 and $7,391. The formula gives you 90% of AIME up to the first bend point, 32% between the two bend points, and 15% above the second bend point. This progressive formula means lower earners replace a higher percentage of their pre-disability income.
The SSA uses a sequential five-step process to determine if you qualify. First, are you working above Substantial Gainful Activity ($1,620/month in 2026)? Second, is your condition severe? Third, does it meet or equal a Blue Book listing? Fourth, can you do your past work? Fifth, can you do any other work? You must fail all five steps to qualify — and that's why having a disability attorney who understands this process dramatically improves your chances.
About 67% of initial applications are denied, often for technical reasons rather than medical ones — missing paperwork, incomplete medical records, or insufficient documentation of how your condition limits your daily activities. The most successful appeal level is the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing, where represented claimants win approximately 55% of the time. If you've been denied, do not give up — file your appeal within 60 days.
Everything you need to know about SSDI and SSI disability benefits