Social Security Disability Benefits FAQ

The Social Security Administration's definition of a disabled person is someone who is medically unable to work for at least a year or who has been diagnosed with a medical condition that will result in death.

To qualify for disability payments, you’ll need to have worked for a specified period of time before being declared disabled. A medical provider will also have to certify that your disability exists.

Let’s go over some of the most commonly asked questions about Social Security disability benefits.

What is the maximum Social Security disability benefit?

The maximum Social Security disability benefit you can receive is $4,018 per month in 2025 and increases to $4,152 in 2026. This is the same as the maximum amount available to those receiving Social Security retirement benefits at full retirement age.

Realistically, most people approved for disability claims collect monthly payments of around $1,630. While it’s possible to receive more, you’d need to have been a relatively high earner before you became disabled because disability benefits are based on average wages.

Remember that the Social Security system works much like an insurance company: You pay into the system through payroll taxes over the course of your career. Then you collect benefits at a later date -- either when you retire or when you become disabled.

What conditions are considered disabilities?

The SSA only considers you to be disabled if your medical condition “significantly limits” your ability to complete work-related activities, such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, or remembering.

Medical impairments that could be considered disabling include:

• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Sense and speech impairments
• Respiratory disorders
• Digestive disorders
• Genitourinary disorders
• Hematological disorders
• Skin disorders
• Endocrine disorders
• Congenital disorders affecting multiple body systems
• Neurological disorders
• Mental disorders
• Cancer
• Immune system disorders

While many different medical conditions are considered disabling from the SSA’s perspective, your impairment will need to impact your ability to work productively -- and last for a period of time -- for your benefits claim to be approved.

Are there other benefits associated with Social Security disability?

The main additional benefit that comes with an approved Social Security disability claim is that you’re automatically eligible for health care coverage through Medicare after 24 months.

Normally, you won’t qualify for Medicare until your 65th birthday, but those receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are eligible at a younger age. If you became disabled long before your SSDI claim is approved, you may be able to receive retroactive credit toward the 24-month waiting period for Medicare eligibility.

The SSA will conduct periodic reviews to ensure your disability is ongoing and that all coverage and benefit payments are legitimate. Your Medicare coverage and disability benefits will end if you can return to work in the future. However, the SSA offers several employment resources called work incentives to those who have either recovered from their condition or who can work under certain circumstances.

Can you work while on disability?

The SSA has specific rules regarding working while collecting disability benefits.

Since many people with disabilities would prefer to work rather than receive benefits, the SSA will allow a nine-month Trial Work Period to allow you to try to return to employment. A “trial work month” is any month where earnings exceed $1,160 in 2025 or $1,210 in 2026. The trial work period continues until you have nine cumulative trial work months within a rolling 60-month period.

After your trial work period, there is an extended period of eligibility for 36 months. During this time, your benefits will stop if Social Security considers your earnings substantial. In 2025, Social Security considers your earnings substantial if you earn more than $1,620 per month (or $2,700 if you’re blind). These thresholds rise to $1,690 per month (or $2,830 if you're blind) in 2026.

Remember that if you do decide to go back to work -- or if your medical condition has improved -- you must alert the SSA. While you can earn a minimal income while receiving SSDI payments, earning more than the monthly threshold for an extended time will lead to the eventual loss of benefits.

Are Social Security disability benefits taxable?

Social Security disability benefits may be taxable. The rules are the same as those for standard Social Security retirement benefits. The answer hinges on your provisional (or “combined”) income, which is calculated as:

Provisional income = Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) + Tax-exempt interest + Half of SSDI benefits

If you’re single and your provisional income is less than $25,000, you’ll pay no tax on your SSDI benefits. If your provisional income is between $25,000 and $34,000, you’ll pay taxes on half (50%) of your benefits. And, if your provisional income is greater than $34,000, you’ll pay taxes on up to 85% of your benefits.

If you’re filing a joint return and your provisional income is less than $32,000, you’ll pay no tax on your SSDI benefits. If your provisional income is between $32,000 and $44,000, you’ll pay taxes on half (50%) of your benefits. And, if your provisional income is greater than $44,000, you’ll pay taxes on up to 85% of your benefits.

These thresholds are not very high and are not indexed to inflation, so it’s important to know where you stand when it comes to paying taxes while receiving any amount of disability income.

Social Security disability benefits play a key role

Social Security disability benefits are a critical piece of the SSA’s activities and provide an essential financial bedrock for those unable to work. Having a disability can be both financially and emotionally draining, so a backstop must exist to support those unable to earn a living on their own.

If you are living with a disability, consult a medical professional to determine if your circumstances make SSDI payments necessary.