Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, describes the U.S. federal program funded by payroll taxes to provide monthly benefits for those with medically determinable disabilities restricting the ability to employed. The Social Security Administration manages the program. SSDI is not to be confused with Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, paid out to qualified individuals with limited resources. In Indiana, SSI benefits average around $580 per month and SSDI averages around $1,350 per month.
Understanding SSDI vs SSI
The SSDI program is designed to provide financial support for people suffering from a severe medical condition or disability that prevents long-term employment. Generally speaking, the qualifying condition is anticipated to last for at least a year. The SSDI benefits last as long as the impairment, even until death. For 2023, SSDI received an 8.7% increase through a cost-of-living adjustment. The SSI eligibility is based on age or disability and limited income or resources, while SSDI is based on work credits and disability.
More on qualifying for SSDI
The SSDI program has over a dozen categories for qualifying medical conditions and disabilities. Some of the conditions that qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance include musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory disorders, neurological disorders, mental disorders, and immune disorders, among others. The conditions most likely to qualify for SSDI include Parkinson’s, ALS, dementia, advanced-stage cancer, and early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The waiting period for SSDI approval is typically around three to five months. Many applicants are initially denied, appeal and enter the redetermination process.
The maximum SSDI benefit in Indiana is over $3,600 per month. The maximum monthly SSI benefit is less than $920. The SSDI benefits in most states average between $1,300 and $1,400 per month, with Indiana clustered near the middle. As of 2022, close to 8 million disabled workers receive SSDI and more than 6.5 million people are on SSI in the U.S.