Good news comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA), especially for those disabled workers who receive benefits from the SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) program. This is a federal initiative aimed at people with disabilities that limit their ability to work, which requires a history of contributions to the system and a medical condition that meets strict requirements: minimum duration of 12 months or risk of death.
Like retirement benefits, the SSA classifies beneficiaries into three large groups based on their dates of birth: the first group is for those whose birthday is between the 1st and 10th of any month, the second is for those whose birthday is between the 11th and 21st, and the third group is for those whose birthday is between the 21st and 31st.
New SSDI payments: recipient group with payment due March 12, 2025
The payment corresponding to the second Wednesday of every month—for instance, March 12th—is assigned to beneficiaries who began their collection after May 1997 and whose birthdays fall between the 1st and 10th of any month. Those who began receiving support before May 1997 receive their payment on the third day of each month, regardless of their date of birth.
The SSDI amount is calculated from the average indexed monthly income (AIME), based on the 35 years with the highest income. In 2024, the maximum benefit was $3,822. For 2025, a 2.5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) was applied, raising it to $4,018.
Can a family member inherit SSDI payments?
When a disabled worker receiving SSDI benefits dies, their personal payments end. However, your family members can access survivor benefits based on your work history and Social Security contributions. This article details how this system works, who qualifies, the amounts, and the application process.
The SSA provides survivor benefits to family members of deceased workers with sufficient work history. These monthly payments seek to support those who depended on the worker. Unlike SSI (Supplemental Security Income), which does not offer this type of help, SSDI does allow loved ones to receive support after death.
The focus here is SSDI, since the disabled worker had a work record that made him eligible. This analysis is based on official data to explain the process clearly and precisely.
Various family members may qualify for survival benefits, according to specific criteria:
- Surviving spouse: You must be at least 60 years old or 50 if disabled. If you care for a child under 16 or disabled, you can receive them without age limit. For example, a 55-year-old spouse with a 10-year-old child can access immediately.
- Children: They must be single and under 18 years of age, or up to 19 if they study high school full-time. Children disabled before age 22 also qualify. A 17-year-old child in secondary school, for example, receives support until he is 19 if he continues studying.
- dependent parents: They must be 62 years old or older and have depended on the worker for at least half of their income. A 65-year-old father who lived with the deceased may be eligible.
- Ex-spouses: They need to be married for at least 10 years, not have remarried (except after age 60 or 50 if they are disabled) and not have major benefits of their own. An ex-wife married 12 years without remarriage could qualify.
The survival benefits are determined according to the Basic Benefit Amount (PIA) of the worker, calculated with his work history. With a hypothetical PIA of $2,000:
- Spouse: At full retirement age (66-67 years) you receive 100% ($2,000). Between 60 and that age, between 71.5% ($1,430) and 99%. If you care for a minor or disabled child, you get 75% ($1,500).
- Children: Each can receive up to 75% ($1,500), subject to family maximum.
- Parents: Up to 82.5% ($1,650), also limited by the family maximum.
- Ex-spouses: Similar to the spouse, but does not affect the family maximum.
The family maximum restricts the total paid to all beneficiaries. With a PIA of $2,000: one beneficiary receives $2,000 (100%), two $3,000 (150%), three $3,600 (180%), up to seven or more $5,000 (250%). If a spouse and two children total $4,500, they are adjusted to $3,600 so as not to exceed the limit.
The one-time death payment of $255 is given to the spouse who lived with the worker or an eligible child. This amount can help with funeral expenses.