The Social Security Disability Security (SSDI) federal program continues to provide funds to more than 8.5 million Americans who are unable to work due to serious medical conditions. Managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), this benefit requires meeting rigorous eligibility criteria, linked to work history and the legal definition of disability.
To access SSDI, applicants must have accumulated sufficient Social Security credits, earned through contributions to the system during their working life. In 2025, at least 40 credits are required, with 20 earned in the last decade before disability. Additionally, the medical condition must prevent substantial gainful activity (SGA), defined as income greater than $1,620 for individuals and $2,700 for legally blind people.
The SSA emphasizes that the disability must be “long-term or terminal,” with a minimum expectation of 12 months of disability or risk of death. This requirement seeks to ensure that resources are directed to those facing severe long-term limitations, not temporary conditions.
Payment schedule in March 2025 and announcement of retroactive increases for some
Additionally, more than 1.1 million people obtained retroactive payments derived from the Social Security Fairness Act, passed in 2024. This regulation eliminated two controversial provisions: the Excess Benefit Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which reduced benefits to those receiving non-contributory pensions.
The retroactive amounts, averaging $6,710, offset adjustments applied since January 2024. These deposits were made separately from the monthly payments, which explains why some beneficiaries received multiple transactions in March. However, the SSA clarifies that each person only receives one regular payment per month.
SSDI benefits depend on each person’s salary history. In 2025, the maximum monthly payment is $4,018, a figure reserved for those who contributed at the taxable limit for 35 years and reached full retirement age.
In contrast, the average benefit will be approximately $1,580, considering a 2.5% cost of living increase (COLA) adjustment.
The elimination of WEP and GPO primarily benefits teachers, firefighters, and police officers, whose state pensions previously reduced their SSDI entitlements. According to the SSA, 3.2 million people will be compensated through the end of March, injecting more than $21.5 billion into the economy.
Although retroactive payments are managed automatically, the SSA recommends verifying the account status on its official portal or contacting 1-800-772-1213 to avoid fraud. The entity also warns about possible delays in cases with inconsistencies in labor or banking records.
COLA Increments for 2025 and 2026
Analysts project that the 2024 legal changes will strengthen the sustainability of SSDI in the medium term. However, organizations such as the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities warn of pending challenges, such as updating SGA thresholds, which have not changed since 2020.
By 2026, a new increase in COLA is expected, linked to the Consumer Price Index. The Senior Citizens League already projects that the increase will be 2.2%, but that is a number that will likely change as the months go by.
