What if my disability check is not enough?

Asked by: Albertha Yundt  |  Last update: December 5, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (69 votes)

When your disability check isn't enough to live on, you may have additional options at your disposal. For example, you may qualify for extra help in specific areas such as health care costs, food, and housing. Different federal, state, and local programs may be available.

How can I increase my Social Security disability payments?

Increasing Your SSDI Benefits
  1. Reaching Retirement Age. ...
  2. Death of an Adult Child. ...
  3. Additional Benefits Based on Your Own Work. ...
  4. Benefits from a Former Marriage. ...
  5. Child Entitled to Benefits. ...
  6. Update the Social Security Administration About Any Changes. ...
  7. Consider Other Types of Benefits.

What happens when your disability money runs out?

What happens when California State Disability runs out? Your benefit eligibility lasts until the expected recovery date provided by your doctor. If you have not fully recovered and need to continue your benefits, you must submit a Physician/Practitioner's Supplementary Certificate (DE 2525XX) with your final payment.

How do people on disability survive financially?

Supplemental Security Income

While SSDI comes from Social Security taxes, SSI comes from general tax revenues. SSI helps if: You are disabled, blind, or a senior with little or no income. You need money for basic needs like shelter, clothing, and food.

Why is my disability check so low?

SSDI is based on your average earnings the last 20 quarters. So if you have a lower paid job, the lower your monthly benefit will be. Also, it pays about 40% of what you would be earning if you were still employed, which is just another incentive that if you can work, you should continue to do so.

I do not have enough work credits to quality for SSDI, should I still apply for benefits?

22 related questions found

What if my disability income is not enough?

When your disability check isn't enough to live on, you may have additional options at your disposal. For example, you may qualify for extra help in specific areas such as health care costs, food, and housing. Different federal, state, and local programs may be available.

How can I increase my disability percentage?

You can file a claim for increased disability compensation if you have a rated service-connected disability that's gotten worse. You'll need to submit up-to-date medical evidence that shows your disability has gotten worse. You can file an increased claim to request these changes: An increase in your disability rating.

What is the average amount a person gets on disability?

Why trust us? In 2024, the maximum amount you can earn from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is $3,822 per month (up from $3,627 in 2023). That's a nice sum, but most people won't get that much. The average SSDI benefit is only about $1,537.

What to do when Social Security is not enough to live on?

Has your income declined or have you experienced a loss of financial resources? You may be able to get additional income through the Supplemental Security Income program, which helps seniors and the disabled who have limited income and financial resources.

How can disabled people get more money?

Programs to get more help while on SSI
  1. Explore other government programs. If you get SSI, you can usually get federal benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and state benefits like Medicaid. ...
  2. Make a work or business plan. ...
  3. Save for disability-related expenses.

What is the maximum back pay for disability?

SSD benefits can potentially be received back to the year prior to the application date. This means you will receive a maximum of 12 months of back pay benefits.

Can my doctor extend my disability?

If You Need to Extend Your DI Period

You will receive a Physician/Practitioner's Supplementary Certificate (DE 2525XX) with your final payment. Have your physician/practitioner complete and submit this form to find out if you are eligible for an extension. Your physician/practitioner can find your claim in SDI Online.

What can stop your disability benefits?

Benefits will end if work and earnings are above the substantial level after the 36-month re-entitlement period. If we decide that your medical condition has improved and you no longer have a disability.

How to get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

Exactly how much in earnings do you need to get a $3,000 benefit? Well, you just need to have averaged about 70% of the taxable maximum. In our example case, that means that your earnings in 1983 were about $22,000 and increased every year to where they ended at about $100,000 at age 62.

How much will disability checks be in 2024?

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) also increases the maximum monthly benefit amount. The maximum monthly benefit for disability and retirement is increasing to $3,822 per month. The benefit increase will take place in January 2024. Social Security will start mailing account notices in December.

How do I get my $16728 Social Security bonus?

Specifically, a rumored $16,728 bonus that had people wondering if it was true or not in 2024? Sadly, there's no real “bonus” that retirees who receive Social Security can collect.

How can I get more money from Social Security disability?

How to Increase Social Security Disability Payments (7 Ways)
  1. A Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) ...
  2. A Recalculation of Disability Benefits. ...
  3. Work for at Least 35 Years Before Retiring. ...
  4. Wait Until Full Retirement Age to Apply for Disability Benefits. ...
  5. Apply for Social Security Spousal Benefits.

What is the $943 Social Security payment?

If you're wondering about the amounts for these SSI checks, the SSA has set a maximum monthly amount of $943 for individuals and up to $1,415 for couples in 2024. Some states even offer additional SSI supplements, increasing the overall payment for residents of places like California and New York.

What is the 5 year rule for Social Security disability?

The so-called “five-year rule” for Social Security disability allows people who have already received disability benefits to skip a required waiting period in the re-application process after they've returned to work.

What is the lowest disability payment?

For those with less work history and less consistent work history, the amount of approval for social security disability (SSDI) will be lower. For 2021, monthly payments can range all the way from $100 per month to $3,148 per month.

Can you collect both Social Security and disability?

Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to collect SSDI and SSI benefits at the same time. This is known as receiving “concurrent” benefits. When you are ready, you can apply for both benefits together. After you apply, the Social Security Administration will tell you if you qualify for one or both programs.

How can I make extra money on disability?

However, provided your total income (including disability payments) does not reach more than $1,470 a month, or $2,460 if you are blind, you may be able to earn extra money in one of the following ways: Selling items on Etsy or eBay; Holding yard sales or selling objects at local flea markets.

How do I get 100% disability pay?

Achieving a 100% VA disability rating requires demonstrating complete and total disability through medical evidence, with certain severe conditions like loss of limbs or blindness automatically qualifying.

How to get 100 percent Social Security Disability?

To receive disability benefits from Social Security, a person must have a severe impairment expected to last at least one year or to result in death. The impairment must be so severe that the person would be unable to perform any substantial work.