The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments will reach millions of beneficiaries next week. Like every month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will divide deposits into three groups during March, assigned by date of birth. If you want to know when it’s your turn, here we answer your questions.
The SSA calendar states that benefits are delivered on the second, third and fourth Wednesday of the month. This year, the key dates are as follows: March 12 is for those born between the 1st and 10th. Then, March 19 is for those with birthdays between the 11th and the 20th. Finally, March 26 is for those born between the 21st and the 31st.
Why is the date of birth used? SSA avoids overwhelming the system by staggering payments. “It is an efficient method that keeps the flow orderly,” explain official sources.
How much money will you receive this month from SSDI?
The amount depends on your work history and previous contributions. For 2025, the inflation adjustment (COLA) rose 2.5%, raising the monthly average to $1,580 (increased from $1,542 reported in 2024). But this number is a reference: check your account on ssa.gov to find out your exact figure.
Unlike other programs, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which are based on an individual’s need, the SSDI disability benefits program is based on work history.
Now, if you receive SSI, you will notice that there is no deposit this month. The reason? March 1 fell on a Saturday, so payment was brought forward to February 28. “It is a calendar adjustment, not a cut,” the SSA clarifies. Plan your expenses considering that you already received this money.
What do you need to access SSDI?
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), there are two key requirements: your work history and your medical condition. First, you must have worked enough years paying Social Security taxes. The SSA measures this with “credits”: in 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,810 of income (up to a maximum of 4 per year).
Most adults need 40 total credits, with at least 20 earned in the last 10 years before disability. But if you are under 31 years old, the rules are more flexible: for example, at 24 years old, 6 credits in the previous 3 years would be enough.
The second requirement is medical: your disability must be total, lasting (or terminal) and certified by tests. It does not apply to partial or temporary conditions (such as a 6-month fracture). The SSA reviews whether you can perform any substantial job (not just your last job), considering your age, education, and experience.
For example, if you were a bricklayer and a lower back injury prevents you from lifting weights, but you could work in a call center, you may not qualify. Oh, and your diagnosis must be in the SSA Blue Book (a list of 14 categories, from cancer to serious mental disorders).
If it’s not there, you can still prove that your condition is equivalent in severity with solid documentation, medical reports, exams, and even testimonials of how the disability affects your daily life.