Getting your disability payment increased, whether you’re receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), is rare. There are exceptions, but it depends on the type of disability benefits you receive.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
SSI is a needs-based program. The amount you receive is determined by the federal government. The maximum amount of SSI benefits you can receive in 2018 is $750 a month if you are single and $1,125 if you are married.
This monthly amount could be reduced depending on your situation. For example, if you are living with someone, your monthly checks may be less than the maximum monthly amount. Your SSI payments may also change if your living situation changes or if you start working again.
Cost-of-living adjustments to SSI benefits are made each year by the federal government. These adjustments are used to combat inflation. They are not based on need. Your benefits will not increase because you cannot pay your bills. If you are having difficulty making ends meet, there are local programs that may be able to help.
Likewise, your Social Security payments do not increase or decrease depending on the extent of your disability. You will not be paid more in benefits if your disability gets worse. However, if you have been denied benefits, and your disabling condition has recently worsened, the Social Security Administration may take this change into consideration.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits
SSDI is calculated on the amount of money that you earned and the amount of taxes you paid into the system while you were working. The more you paid into the system, the more you will receive if the Social Security Administration finds you to be disabled. That means someone who has made $80,000 a year will very likely receive more in SSDI payments than someone who has made $35,000 a year.
If you think your SSDI payments are low, we recommend you talk to a Social Security Disability lawyer. Calculating your SSDI payments is complex, and it can be confusing. An attorney can help determine what your correct monthly payment should be.
Your Iowa Workers’ Compensation Settlement and Social Security Disability
If you were unable to return to work due to a work injury, you may have applied and/or received SSDI benefits. Settling your Iowa workers’ compensation claim without having the proper language in the settlement papers can mean a limit on the amount of SSDI benefits you can receive.
Before you settle your workers’ compensation case, you should speak with an Iowa work comp attorney. They can add the right language to your work comp settlement so you don’t lose out on benefits.
If you have questions, call RSH Legal at 1-319-774-1783 and speak with one of our Social Security Disability attorneys today.
