1. How SSDI Benefits Are Determined

• SSDI benefits are calculated using your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is based on your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) over your 35 highest-earning years.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) sets an annual cap: even if your PIA is higher, you cannot receive more than this maximum.

2. 2025 Maximum SSDI Benefit

• For 2025, the maximum SSDI benefit is $4,018 per month.
• To qualify for the full amount, you must have worked for at least 35 years at or near the Social Security taxable maximum each year.
• Most SSDI recipients receive significantly less, with average monthly payments in New York being closer to $1,500, depending on their earnings history.

3. Who Can Receive the Maximum Benefit?

You may be eligible for the full benefit if you:

• Consistently earned at or above the annual taxable maximum for at least 35 years
• Paid full Social Security payroll taxes each year without gaps
• Have no offsetting benefits (like pensions or workers’ compensation) that reduce your SSDI payment

4. Family or Dependents’ Benefits

• SSDI may include auxiliary benefits for eligible dependents, such as spouses or children.
• These can increase total household benefits by up to 50% of your PIA, though they remain subject to SSA limits.

5. Annual Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA)

• SSDI benefits are adjusted each year based on inflation to preserve purchasing power.
• For 2025, the COLA increase was around 2.5%, which boosted both the maximum and average payment amounts.
• Future COLAs may raise the maximum benefit beyond $4,018.

6. New York vs. Nationwide Benefits

• SSDI payment calculations and maximum limits are set at the federal level—not by state.
• New York follows the same rules and benefit caps as every other state.
• However, cost-of-living differences can affect how far those benefits go.