The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payment schedule for December 2024. This program is aimed at workers with disabilities that prevent them from performing meaningful work activities, providing financial support to those who they need it more.
It should not be understood that December marks the end of the SSDI program; rather, it is the conclusion of the SSA payment schedule for the year 2024. It is recognized that access to these benefits is not automatic; There are specific criteria that applicants must meet to be eligible.
Requirements to qualify for SSDI in 2025
To access SSDI, applicants must demonstrate that they have a physical or mental condition that substantially limits their ability to work. This disability must be medically documented and persist for at least 12 months, or present with a terminal prognosis.
In addition to the disability status, applicants are required to demonstrate that their situation prevents them not only from performing their previous job, but also from performing any other relevant employment within the national labor market. This is provided for in Section 223(d) of the Social Security Act.
Another vital criterion is the work history of the applicant, who must have accumulated sufficient work credits through their employment, which generally implies having worked for at least 10 years or having obtained the necessary credits within the last 35 years.
Maximum SSDI benefits for December 2024
SSDI payments are determined based on the applicant’s previous income, with the goal of providing financial support according to their needs. In December 2024, the amounts reflect ranges of support:
- Overall average: up to $1,537 per month
- Blind beneficiaries: up to $2,590 per month
- Maximum possible payment: up to $3,822 per month
These amounts are designed to adapt to various economic situations and guarantee minimal support to those who face significant challenges due to their conditions.
Payment schedule in December
SSDI payments for December will be distributed according to an established monthly schedule to ensure each beneficiary receives what they are entitled to. The key dates are the following:
- December 11: For beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of any month who applied for the benefit after May 1997.
- December 18: For those born between the 11th and 20th of the month.
- December 24: For beneficiaries with a date of birth between the 21st and 31st; This payment is advanced because the 25th is a holiday.
Last payments before the maximum amounts increase
December will also be the last month in which the 2024 cost of living adjustment (COLA), which was 3.2%, will be applied. Beneficiaries will notice an additional 2.5% increase starting in January, thus bucking inflation for the year. This new adjustment will apply until December 31, 2025, ensuring that payments maintain their value in the face of economic fluctuations.