Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program in the United States designed to provide financial assistance to people who are unable to work due to a serious, long-term disability.
Like retirement benefits, the SSDI program is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and is funded through payroll taxes that workers and employers pay into the Social Security system.
To qualify for SSDI, applicants must meet several key requirements
First, they must have a disability that meets the SSA definition, which states that the condition must be severe enough to prevent the person from performing substantial gainful employment (SGA). Additionally, the disability must have lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
Subsequently, applicants for this benefit must have accumulated something known as “work credits,” and generally 40 credits are required, 20 of which must have been earned in the last 10 years before the disability. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.
Finally, it is important to note that the SSDI program is not limited by the applicant’s current income or resources, unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a program for people with limited resources. This means that even if a person has savings or property, they can still qualify for SSDI as long as they meet the disability and work credit requirements.
The three SSDI payments in February 2025
In February 2025, SSDI recipients will receive three payments, which is an unusual event that occurs due to the way the SSA schedules monthly payments. Typically, recipients receive one payment per month, but on certain occasions, such as February 2025, they may receive additional payments due to the way the dates fall. To understand this, it is important to explain how SSDI payments are scheduled.
The SSA distributes SSDI payments based on the beneficiary’s date of birth. If the beneficiary was born between the 1st and 10th of the month, they will receive their payment on the second Wednesday, which is February 12. If you were born between the 11th and the 20th, you will receive your payment on the third Wednesday, that is, February 19.
Finally, if you were born between the 21st and the 31st, you will receive your payment on the fourth Wednesday of the month, which is February 26.
The maximum payment for SSDI beneficiaries is $4,018, an increase of 2.5% compared to the 2024 payment of $3,822. However, the average payment was estimated to be $1,580.
