SSDI Payments

• To determine the amount of monthly SSDI payments you may qualify for, start with the disability planner on the SSA website. The planner provides the basic information regarding your eligibility for benefits. Once you are familiar with the requirements, you can use the website's benefit calculator to obtain an estimate of what SSDI will pay you now or in the future. The calculator will display disability and survivor benefits, as well as retirement benefits. The information necessary to use the calculator is found on your Social Security statement. If you do not have a copy of your statement, you can request one from the SSA.
  
  

Other Factors Affecting Payments

• After estimating your basic benefits, you can consider other factors that may affect your monthly disability payment. The SSA website includes additional information and calculators for these factors, such as determining how much income you can earn before it will reduce your monthly payment. This information can used as a good planning tool to determine the amount of savings or private sources of income, such as pensions or disability insurance, you may need to supplement your disability payments and maintain your current living standards.
  
  

SSI Payments

• If you are disabled and have few assets and little to no income, you may also receive SSI payments in addition to SSDI payments. Each year the SSA sets a maximum amount of monthly SSI benefits that an individual can receive, which for 2011 is $674. The amount is $1,011 for individuals with an eligible spouse. The maximum benefit amount will be reduced by countable income, which is anything received during a calendar month -- cash or in-kind goods and service -- that can be used to meet basic living needs.
  
  

SSI State Supplement

• Additional SSI benefits are available in most states for eligible individuals. The requirements vary by state and filing a separate application with the appropriate state agency is necessary to receive the benefits. Nine states plus the District of Columbia include an SSI supplement in the federal payment administered by the SSA. For example, in 2011 a California resident eligible for the maximum monthly SSI payment will receive a total of $830.40. In New York, the maximum payment for a similarly eligible resident is $761.