Many people find it hard to get by based solely on their Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI benefits. This is because while these benefits are a lifesaver in many cases, they also aren’t enough in others. So, what are some ways that you can increase your SSDI benefits?
You can increase your SSDI benefits by applying for survivor benefits if you have a spouse who has passed away. You may also be able to get benefits if you have an older child who has passed away or if you currently care for a disabled child. Another way you can increase SSDI benefits is by working after retirement age.
Keep reading below for more ways to increase your SSDI benefits.
How is SSDI Calculated?
Social Security Disability Insurance payments are based on a person’s lifetime earnings from employment or self-employment. Covered wages are the starting point for the calculation. These are the earnings from which Social Security and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes were withheld. FICA is a U.S. federal payroll tax and is deducted from each paycheck.
This is crucial since SSDI benefits do not take into account income from non-Social Security-paying jobs. Your best pre-disability earnings (known as Average Covered Earnings) are included in the SSDI calculation.
You can estimate what your benefits ought to look like by using one of the benefits calculators that are provided by the Social Security Administration. Alternatively, you can ask an SSDI lawyer to estimate your benefit amount using details from your earnings record. Either way, determining what your benefits should be is a relatively straightforward process.
Individuals who qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can receive up to $841 per month in federal payments, while couples who both qualify can get up to $1,261 per month. The amount of your monthly SSI benefit may be reduced by Social Security if you have income that qualifies for a deduction.
For instance, if you are eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits and you also have a part-time job, the amount of SSI you receive will be decreased by the amount of money you earn from your employment.
However, not all of your wage- and salary-based earnings are included. The federal payment from Social Security is $841, with the first $65 and 50% of the remaining monthly earnings disregarded.
Ways to Increase Your Social Security Disability Payments
Your lifetime earnings are the primary factor that the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers when determining the amount of SSDI payments you are entitled to receive.
As a result, there are not many things an individual can do to personally boost their benefits. Nevertheless, there are a few options to increase the benefits that may be available to you without your knowledge.
Survivor Benefits
Survivor benefits may be available to you if your spouse or ex-spouse has passed away. You may be able to get increased benefits as a result of the employment history of a spouse who has passed away. You may be eligible for payments if a former spouse has passed away, even if you already receive benefits from a different spouse.
Retirement Age
You can retire between the ages of 66 and 67, depending on the year you were born. Working while collecting Social Security benefits is an option for those who are of retirement age or older. There is no income cap, as is normally the case with Social Security Disability Insurance.
The Loss of an Older Child
The passing of an adult child may make you eligible for parent’s benefits, which can supplement your Social Security Disability Insurance payments. If your child helped supply a minimum of half of your income and had sufficient work credits to meet the requirements for SSDI, you may be eligible.
Benefits from Your Employment
Disability and retirement benefits may be increased based on your employment history. Talk to an experienced Social Security Disability attorney for more specifics on how your employment could make you eligible to receive extra benefits; this will differ from case to case.
Benefits of a Previous Marriage
If you are now unmarried, at least 62 years old, and your previous marriage was at least ten years long, you may be eligible for benefits that are dependent on the labor of an ex-spouse.
There is no assurance that you will be eligible for benefits based on the legal precedent of your previous marriage; nonetheless, there are several situations in which it may be possible to boost the benefits you already enjoy.
Child Benefits
Providing care for a child who has a disability may also increase the benefits you receive. Take, for instance, the scenario in which you are the primary caregiver for a child who was diagnosed with a disability before the age of 22 or before the age of 16.
In that instance, they may be qualified to receive additional benefits through the employment history of either your spouse or yourself.
Military Experience
If you meet the following criteria, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) may provide you with additional benefits:
- Have served in the United States armed forces
- Are getting Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income
- Lost income or other resources
You may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income if you have a lower income or fewer financial resources. Low-income seniors and people with disabilities can benefit financially from the SSI program. It’s possible to receive benefits from both SSDI and SSI.
Income Sources that Reduce SSDI Benefits
Most people don’t have to worry about this, but some sources of income could reduce your Social Security Disability Insurance payment.
Workers’ Compensation
If you get workers’ compensation, the Social Security Administration will assume that you intend to return to work once you have healed from your injury, making it more difficult for you to qualify for SSDI. However, workers’ compensation may be used to become eligible for SSDI.
Government Disability Benefits
Unfortunately, only five states (CA, HI, NY, NJ, and RI) provide short-term disability assistance. You can still get SSDI, although your benefits may be decreased while you continue to receive government support.
State Pensions
The amount of SSDI benefits you’re entitled to may be lowered if, for instance, you contribute to a state pension instead of Social Security.
Conclusion
There are several ways that, depending on the individual’s situation, can increase their SSDI benefits. But keep in mind that there are not many things an individual can do to personally boost their benefits. There are some options available to qualify for additional benefits but many people may not be aware of them. If you’re wondering whether these options apply to you, speaking to an SSDI lawyer may be helpful as well as reaching out to the SSA for additional information.
