How To Increase Social Security Disability Payments

Ways to Improve Your Social Security Disability Payments

Published On - October 22, 2025

admin Social Security Benefits

If you have a disabling condition that has caused you to be unable to work, you may be experiencing considerable financial stress. Worrying and wondering how you’ll continue to pay your bills and provide for yourself and those you love during this time can be very challenging. If you find yourself in this situation, you may decide to seek benefits from the Social Security Administration – or you may already be receiving them. If you’re already receiving benefits, you may wonder if there’s anything you can do to increase the monthly amount of those payments. Let’s take a closer look at the law together.

What Types of Benefits Are Available?

The Social Security Administration provides two types of disability benefits. An applicant may qualify for one, or both, depending on their circumstances. These benefits include:

  • Social Security Disability Insurance: This program is funded by employment taxes paid into the Social Security Administration. Therefore, to be approved for benefits, an individual must be “insured,” which means they worked a job through which they regularly paid taxes into the system.
  • Supplemental Security Income: Unlike the SSDI program which is funded by employment taxes, SSI benefits are financed from the general revenue. As a result, an applicant does not need to be “insured” to receive benefits, but does need to have income and resources below a certain limit established annually by the Social Security Administration.

Regardless of which type of benefit the applicant pursues, they must also meet two other factors – namely, a medical condition that the Social Security Administration considers to be a disability, and which has caused the applicant to be unable to work for one continuous calendar year or more.

How Much Might I Receive Each Month?

It’s important to understand that regardless of which type of benefit you choose to pursue, there is a maximum monthly amount you can receive each month. That amount changes yearly based on a variety of economic factors. In 2025, the maximum SSDI payment that an individual can receive each month in 2025 is $4,018, and the maximum SSI payment is $967 per month for an individual or $1,450 per couple.

As a general rule, SSDI benefits are determined based on work and earnings history, while SSI benefits are determined based upon income and resource level. As a result, and because there are maximum monthly amounts, there are limited ways to increase monthly amounts – although certain life changes might do so.

A Look at Changing Life Circumstances

Some of the changing life circumstances that might affect your monthly benefit amounts can include:

  • Reaching retirement age: When you reach retirement age, which will typically be between age 66 and 67 depending upon you birthdate, your SSDI benefits will automatically confirm to retirement benefits. That transition may change how much money you receive or open up the opportunity to work and supplement your income, if desired.
  • Death of a spouse: If your spouse or an ex-spouse passes away, you may be able to receive survivor benefits depending upon your circumstances and the spouse’s work history. In some situations, this may ultimately result in an overall increase to your monthly benefit amount.
  • Becoming responsible for a disabled child: Caring for a disabled child may also increase your benefit amount, depending upon the circumstances involved, the nature of the disability, and the age of the child. Consulting with an attorney regarding your particular situation is always advised.

In addition to how these life changes might affect your benefit amount, it’s also important to remember that your monthly benefit amount will likely increase slightly from year to year regardless of anything you do. This is because the Social Security Administration typically increases monthly benefit amounts each year in response to various economic factors.

Understandably, all of this information regarding types of benefits, calculation of monthly amounts, and how life changes may affect those amounts may feel overwhelming. If you feel this way you should know that help is available. The law can be complicated and confusing, but at Muse Disability, we’re here to help.

Muse Disability – Here For You

At Muse Disability, we know that when our clients come to us for help, they often feel discouraged, frustrated, and overwhelmed. All of those feelings are normal and understandable. It can be very difficult to live with a disability in so many ways. Although we unfortunately can’t take all those difficulties away, but we can help you see the benefit you need and deserve. We know and understand every aspect of the law pertaining to disability benefits, and we’ll always pursue the best legal strategies on your behalf. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

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