If you're applying for Social Security disability benefits — or just trying to plan ahead — one of the first things you'll want to know is how much you can expect to receive each month. The answer depends on which program you qualify for, your work history, and a few other factors that can affect your payment.
In this article, we'll cover:
- How much SSI pays in 2026
- How much SSDI pays and how your amount is calculated
- What determines your specific SSDI payment
- Whether you can receive both SSI and SSDI
- How cost-of-living adjustments affect your payment
- Other factors that can increase or decrease your benefit
SSI Payment Amounts in 2026
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the simpler of the two programs when it comes to payment amounts. The federal government sets a standard rate that applies to all SSI recipients. In 2026, the maximum SSI payment is $994 per month for an individual and $1,491 per month for a couple where both partners are eligible.
These are maximum amounts — your actual SSI payment may be lower depending on your other income and living situation. If you have any earned or unearned income, Social Security reduces your SSI payment using a specific formula. If someone else is helping pay for your food or shelter, your payment can also be reduced by up to one-third.
Some states add a supplement on top of the federal SSI payment. These state supplements vary widely — from a few dollars to over $100 per month — and not all states offer them. Check with your state to see if additional money is available to you.
SSDI Payment Amounts in 2026
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on your individual earnings record, so payments vary significantly from person to person. In 2026, the average SSDI payment is approximately $1,630 per month. The maximum possible SSDI payment is $4,152 per month, though very few people receive the maximum.
Your SSDI payment is calculated based on your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME), which is essentially a formula that looks at your highest-earning years and adjusts them for inflation. Social Security then applies a benefit formula (called the Primary Insurance Amount, or PIA) to your AIME to determine your monthly payment.
In general terms, if you earned more during your working years and paid more into Social Security through payroll taxes, your SSDI benefit will be higher. If you had lower earnings or a shorter work history, your benefit will be lower.
How to Find Out Your Specific SSDI Amount
The best way to estimate your SSDI payment is to check your Social Security Statement, which you can access by creating an account at ssa.gov. Your statement shows your estimated disability benefit based on your actual earnings record. This is the most accurate way to see what you'd receive if you became disabled.
If you're already receiving SSDI, your exact payment amount appears in your annual benefit letter from Social Security, and you can also check it through your my Social Security account online.
Keep in mind that your SSDI amount can change over time. Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are applied annually based on inflation, and your benefit might also be recalculated if you have additional earnings that increase your average.
Can You Receive Both SSI and SSDI?
Yes. If your SSDI payment is low enough, you may also qualify for SSI to supplement your income. This is called receiving "concurrent benefits." SSI can top off your total monthly income up to the SSI maximum of $994.
For example, if your SSDI payment is $500 per month, SSI might provide an additional $494 to bring your total to $994. However, you'd also need to meet SSI's resource limits ($2,000 for an individual) to qualify for the supplement.
Concurrent benefits can be especially helpful for people who became disabled early in their careers and haven't had time to build up a significant earnings record.
How Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) Work
Both SSI and SSDI payments are adjusted each year based on the Consumer Price Index. When the cost of living goes up, your benefit goes up too. These COLAs are applied automatically — you don't need to request them.
The size of the COLA varies from year to year. In recent years, adjustments have ranged from about 2% to over 8%. The COLA for a given year is typically announced in October and takes effect in January.
While COLAs help your benefit keep pace with inflation, they don't always fully offset rising costs — especially for things like healthcare and housing, which can increase faster than the overall inflation rate. Still, the annual adjustment means your purchasing power doesn't erode completely over time.
Other Factors That Affect Your Payment
Several other situations can impact how much you actually receive each month. If you're on SSDI and you work, earnings above the SGA limit of $1,690 per month in 2026 can affect your benefit. Workers' compensation or other public disability benefits you receive can also reduce your SSDI payment through a process called "offset." If you owe back child support or certain government debts, Social Security can withhold a portion of your benefit. If your spouse or children are eligible for benefits on your SSDI record, family benefits are subject to a maximum that can cap the total amount paid to your family.
For SSI recipients, any income you receive — whether earned (from work) or unearned (from other sources) — will reduce your payment. Understanding how income is counted against your SSI benefit is essential for financial planning.
Knowing how much you'll receive is the first step to managing your money well. Purple offers checking accounts built for SSI and SSDI recipients, with tools to help you budget, track resources, and stay compliant with benefit rules.