The Social Security Administration (SSA), the entity responsible for managing Social Security benefits, has scheduled two remaining payments this month for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries. This article details the specific distribution dates, the average amounts allocated, and the criteria necessary to qualify for the program.
The SSDI program provides financial assistance to millions of recipients, based on the beneficiary’s prior income, adjusting to each individual situation. This design makes it possible to offer financial support proportional to the contributions made during working life.
The current amounts for December 2024 are as follows
There are several number to have in mind for this month, if you’re a disabled worker waiting for the SSDI payments:
- Overall average payment: $1,537 per month.
- Beneficiaries with blindness: Up to $2,590 per month.
- Maximum possible amount as of December 2024: $3,822 per month.
These values reflect the 2024 cost of living adjustment (COLA), set at 3.2%, applicable until the end of the year, while, afterward, there will be a new increment applying to the benefits.
SSDI payment dates for December
The SSDI payment distribution schedule is segmented according to the beneficiary’s date of birth, ensuring order in the issuance of funds. For December 2024, the key dates are:
- December 11: Beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of any month, as long as the application was made after May 1997.
- December 18: People born between the 11th and the 20th.
- December 24: Advance payments for those born between the 21st and 31st, due to the December 25 holiday.
As we previously stated, beginning in January 2025, and for the whole 2025 calendar year, payments will include a new COLA of 2.5%, reflecting projected annual inflation. This adjustment will remain in effect until the end of 2025.
Requirements to qualify for SSDI
The SSDI program has specific criteria to determine eligibility, based on factors such as the nature of the disability, ability to work, and work history. The necessary conditions are detailed below:
Significant medical disability: The applicant must demonstrate that his or her physical or mental condition substantially limits his or her ability to work. This disability must be medically documented, have a minimum duration of 12 months or be terminal.
Furthermore, there must be confirmed an inability to carry out significant work activities. And, in addition to not being able to perform the previous job, evidence is required that the disability prevents performing any other type of work available in the national economy. This is provided for in Section 223(d) of the Social Security Act.
Sufficient work history is also required. It is essential to have accumulated work credits through jobs that contribute to the Social Security system. This usually involves have worked for at least 10 years, or have accumulated sufficient credits in the last 35 years.