There are some significant rules that make the Social Security Disability Insurance Program unique. Two of these rules pertain to a mandatory waiting period before a disabled worker is owed their first payment and the criteria of how someone’s monthly SSDI payment is calculated. Many things disability applicants want to know is how much they would be eligible for on a monthly basis.
How Is The Amount Of Your Disabled Worker’s Benefit Computed?
Your disabled worker’s benefit rate is generally equal to the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) is the figure used to determine almost all of your cash benefit amounts. These benefit amounts include your monthly benefits as a worker and benefits for your dependents and survivors. The PIA is based on your taxable earnings averaged over the number of years you worked. This produces a monthly benefit that partially replaces the loss of your income because of retirement or disability; however, it may be less if your PIA was computed under a totalization agreement. The only cash benefit not based on the PIA is the special monthly payment made to uninsured persons age 72 or over.
When Is Your Disabled Worker’s Benefit Rate Less Than The Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)?
Your actual disabled worker’s benefit rate may be less than the Primary Insurance Amount if any of the conditions below are met:
- A reduction becomes necessary because you receive workers’ compensation and/or a public disability benefit based on your work relationship paid under a Federal, State, or local public law or plan; or
- You become entitled to disabled worker’s benefits after a reduced widow(er)’s or retirement insurance benefit.
The Waiting Period
The waiting period consists of five (5) full calendar months in a row. It begins with the earliest full calendar month (but not more than 17 months before the month you filed the application) that you:
- Are disabled; and
- Meet the disability insured status requirements for benefit purposes.
You are not entitled to benefits for any month in the waiting period.
When Is The Waiting Period NOT Required?
No waiting period is required if any of the following conditions are met:
- You were previously entitled to a period of disability and became disabled again within five years following the month your previous disability ended; or
- You are entitled to Childhood Disability Benefits; or
- You only filed for SSI benefits.
