If you or someone in your family is getting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), there’s good news in 2025. Due to a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the average SSDI payment will go up to $1,580 in April 2025. This guide explains who is eligible, how much you can get, when you’ll receive the payment, and how to apply. Everything is explained in simple steps to help you easily understand the process.
What Is SSDI?
SSDI stands for Social Security Disability Insurance. It gives monthly payments to people who cannot work because of a serious medical condition. This benefit is only for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes in the past. SSDI is different from SSI, which is for people with low income and little or no work history.
How Much Will You Get in April 2025?
Because of the 2.5% increase due to COLA, most SSDI recipients will get around $1,580 in April 2025. Some people may receive up to $4,018 every month, depending on how much they earned and worked before becoming disabled.
SSDI Payment Dates for April 2025
The date you receive your SSDI payment depends on your birthday or when you started getting benefits:
April 3: For people who started receiving benefits before May 1997
April 9: For those born between the 1st and 10th
April 16: For birthdays between the 11th and 20th
April 23: For birthdays between the 21st and 31st
Who Can Get SSDI?
To receive SSDI, you need to meet three main conditions:
Medical Condition:
Your condition must stop you from working and last for at least 12 months or result in death. It should also be listed in the SSA’s Blue Book of impairments.
Work Credits:
You must have worked long enough and recently enough. Most people need about 40 work credits, with at least 20 earned in the last 10 years. In 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,810 you make, and you can earn up to 4 credits per year.
Income Limits:
If you’re still working, you can’t earn more than:
$1,620/month (if not blind)
$2,700/month (if blind)
How to Apply for SSDI Benefits in 2025
Here are the three ways to apply for SSDI:
Online: Visit the official Social Security website
By Phone: Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
In Person: Visit your local Social Security office
Documents You Will Need:
Your Social Security Number
Medical records and contact details of your doctor
Employment history and tax forms (W-2 or self-employment records)
A list of your medicines and treatments
Bank account details for direct deposit
What Happens After You Apply?
It usually takes 3 to 6 months for your application to be reviewed. If you are approved, you’ll get a letter confirming your benefit amount. You might also get back payments. If denied, you can appeal the decision within 60 days.
How Is Your SSDI Payment Calculated?
Your monthly benefit depends on your average earnings over your working years. This is calculated through something called AIME (Average Indexed Monthly Earnings) and PIA (Primary Insurance Amount). People who earned more while working usually get higher payments.
New Changes in SSDI for 2025
COLA Increase:
The 2.5% COLA increase began in January 2025, helping people deal with higher prices for things like groceries, rent, and transport.
Social Security Fairness Act:
Passed in January 2025, this law removed rules that used to reduce payments for people who also got pensions from government jobs. Because of this, many public employees like teachers, firefighters, and police officers may now get higher SSDI benefits.
