Let’s talk about something that may not seem like the most exciting topic at first—disability benefits, or SSDI—but stick with me. If you or someone you know has a long-term disability, SSDI may be a financial blessing. Consider it a federal government-created safety net for people who are unable to work due to serious health issues.
But it’s not just about qualifying for SSDI; you also need to understand how it works, when you’ll be paid, and what’s new this year. So grab a snack and let’s break it down in simple English.
Who Gets Paid When? (March 2025 SSDI)
First, we’ll look at payment dates. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has an unusual system based on birthdays. If your birthday is between the first and tenth of any month, mark your calendar for March 12, 2025—that’s your payday.
Were you born between the 11th and the 20th? Your deposit is due on March 19. And if you have a birthday between the 21st and the 31st, circle March 26.
Why the Wednesday theme? The Social Security Administration uses the first four Wednesdays of each month to stagger payments. Since March 1, 2025 falls on a Saturday, the first “Wednesday” for payment purposes is the 5th.
This ensures that things remain consistent year after year, even if the calendar changes slightly. Over 8 million Americans rely on these dates, so it’s a major logistical challenge to keep those deposits flowing.
Do you qualify for SSDI? work credits and medical documentation
Okay, let’s talk about eligibility. SSDI is not a handout; rather, it is an insurance program into which you have (most likely) paid payroll taxes. To qualify, you must have work credits. Most adults require 20 credits (roughly five years of work over the last decade).
Younger people under 24 may require fewer, which is beneficial because life does not always give you a decade to build a resume before health problems arise.
However, simply having a work history is insufficient. Your disability must be severe enough to prevent you from doing any “substantial” work (earning more than $1,550 per month in 2024) for at least a year, or be terminal.
The SSA isn’t messing around here; they’ll require medical proof. We’re talking about exams, records, and evaluations from state-approved documents. Advanced cancer, multiple sclerosis, and major neurological disorders are frequently included on the list.
If you have ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), the rules became more lenient in 2020. You don’t have to wait the usual five months, so your benefits start sooner. That is significant for a disease like ALS that progresses so rapidly.
Backpay: when the SSA owes you money
Have you heard of retroactive pay? If your disability began before you applied, the Social Security Administration may owe you backpay of up to 12 months. This helps to fill those frustrating gaps while your application is in bureaucratic limbo (spoiler: approvals can take months). Just prove that your disability existed previously, and you could receive a lump sum to alleviate your stress.
Your monthly benefit is based on your employment history. The SSA calculates your payout based on your 35 highest-earning years. In 2025, the maximum monthly benefit is $4,018; however, most people receive between $900 and $1,600. What’s the average? Approximately $1,580.
The good news is that your pay will increase by a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) each year. For 2025, it’s a 2.5% raise, which is less than the 3.2% increase in 2024 but still beats inflation stealing your grocery money. COLAs have been in place since 1975, with the exception of 2010, 2011, and 2016, when inflation slowed.
