A Social Security Disability benefits pay chart presents an easy reference to help SSDI and SSI recipients understand their benefits. Social Security benefits and regulations are updated every year based on economic data, with some significant changes ahead for 2026.
While the Social Security Administration (SSA) is always the best source of information for anything related to your Social Security benefits, sometimes a chart or summary can help clarify details. If you are having trouble with your benefits, it’s beneficial to speak with an attorney.
Our Atlanta Social Security Disability lawyers have over 350 years of combined legal experience serving the residents of Georgia. Call today to schedule your free consultation and tell us about your challenges with your Social Security Disability benefits.
What Is Social Security Disability?
Social Security Disability is a federal program that helps people who are unable to work due to a disability by providing financial assistance. The program is run by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Benefits aim to help cover basic living expenses while you are unable to earn a regular income. There are two main programs:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI provides benefits for disabled individuals who meet the criteria for taxes and work history. To be eligible, you must have a severe long-term disability that prevents you from substantial work and meet Social Security’s definition of disability through the evaluation processes.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI provides benefits for low-income individuals and children with disabilities. Eligibility requires meeting income and resource criteria; being over 65, blind, or disabled; and having U.S. residency.
Both programs change from year to year. While the federal government posts updates to the disability benefits chart for SSI, modifications to both programs are influenced by decisions on annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).
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COLA Increases for 2026
People receiving Social Security benefits will see a 2.6% cost-of-living adjustment in 2026. The Social Security Administration determines this increase by measuring inflation using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
Each year, SSA compares the average CPI-W from July through September with the same period from the last year a COLA was given. If prices have risen, the percentage increase becomes the next year’s COLA, which raises Social Security benefits.
These increases will take place on January 1, 2026. Here is a Social Security benefits pay chart for average estimated Social Security and SSDI benefits with highlights from the Social Security Fact Sheet.
|
2025 Monthly Benefit |
After January 1, 2026 |
|
|
All Retired Workers |
$2,015 |
$2,071 |
|
Aged Couple, Both Receiving Benefits |
$3,120 |
$3,208 |
|
Aged Widow or Widower, Alone |
$1,867 |
$1,919 |
|
Disabled Worker Plus Spouse, and One or More Children |
$2,857 |
$2,937 |
|
All Disabled Workers |
$1,586 |
$1,630 |
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payment Chart
SSI changes are determined primarily by federal rules and annual inflation adjustments. Like SSDI, each year, the SSA applies the cost-of-living adjustment based on the CPI-W inflation index, and this percentage increase raises the Federal Benefit Rate.
States that provide optional supplements may adjust their amounts separately. While payment amounts may rise with COLA, SSI’s income and resource limits usually stay the same unless Congress changes the law.
Your monthly SSI benefit can also change based on your income, resources, and living arrangement, which are reviewed regularly to determine eligibility and payment level. Here is a disability benefits pay chart showing the change in monthly SSI Federal Payment Amounts:
|
2025 |
2026 |
|
|
Eligible Individual |
$967.00 |
$994.00 |
|
Eligible Couple |
$1,450.00 |
$1,491.00 |
How to Calculate Social Security Disability
To calculate Social Security Disability benefits, the SSA starts with your average lifetime earnings, which they call Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). Social Security applies a formula to your AIME to determine your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).
Once your PIA is calculated, any applicable adjustments, like cost-of-living increases, are added. The result is your estimated monthly SSD benefit. How Social Security Disability is decided is complicated, which is why a Social Security Disability Benefits pay chart is helpful for many people.
The SSA provides a series of benefits calculators that can help you get a better idea of what benefits you may receive. These include tools for calculating disability benefits, retirement age, spousal benefits, and other useful information.
Get Help With Social Security Disability Benefits
When you are unable to work because of an injury, Social Security Disability can help you pay your bills and make ends meet. For millions of people, a Social Security Disability benefits pay chart illustrating changes for 2026 can help them make decisions and know what to expect.
Sometimes, the Social Security Administration may deny benefits or pay less than you believe you are owed. When that happens, you have the right to push back. Find an SSDI lawyer with the experience and knowledge to help you stand up for your rights.
When you are injured and need help, get The Strong Arm™. Our team at John Foy & Associates has advocated for injured accident victims since 2003. Call today to schedule your free consultation and find out how we can help with your SSDI benefits.
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