A serious health ailment has knocked you down. The result is that you will not be able to work for an extended period, maybe even for the rest of your life. This is when the financial worries hit you. Providing for your family has always been something you were able to do.
What options are available? You learn about Social Security disability (SSD) benefits and apply for them. You understand the process can be complicated and even may have to wait more than a year to get the benefits. But how much money can you expect? Generally, a monthly SSD benefit equates to a little less than what you would receive had you worked until your full retirement age.
Workers get an average of $1,258 per month
In 2019, the nearly 8.4 million U.S. workers who qualified for SSD benefits received an average of about $1,258 each month. Of that group, 4.2 million were men and 4.1 million were women. In addition, male workers received a larger amount of benefits.
Male workers received $1,384, while their female counterparts got $1,128, according to the SSA’s annual statistical report. The numbers show that the average male worker received nearly 23% more in benefits. Below is a list that shows the average SSD benefit amounts received by workers based on entitlement, age and gender:
- Under age 25: $680, men; $663, women
- Ages 25 to 29: $787, men; $771, women
- Ages 30 to 34: $910, men; $864, women
- Ages 35 to 39: $1,016, men; $959, women
- Ages 40 to 44: $1,113, men; $1,029, women
- Ages 45 to 49: $1,216, men; $1,075, women
- Ages 50 to 54: $1,310, men; $1,108, women
- Ages 55 to 59: $1,422, men; $1,145, women
- Ages 60 to 64: $1,553, men; $1,196, women
- Ages 65 and older: $1,609, men; $1,218, women
Remember that roughly two-thirds of all applicants are rejected by the government. Still, you can pursue an appeal and have a good chance of getting these benefits.