Social Security Disability (SSDI) Benefit Calculator

Illustrate SSDI benefits for workers first eligible in 2026. The model assumes disability onset and the waiting-period start occur that year, without prior disability or retirement eligibility. Simplified earnings and ordinary dropout years produce a worker benefit and dependent shares; actual indexed records and eligibility require SSA review.

How to use this tool

1. Enter birth year and confirm first eligibility in 2026; supported ages are 18–62.
2. Enter average earnings and earning years for the illustration.
3. Select eligible children and an eligible spouse.
4. Read the worker amount, dependent shares and general work-credit guide.

Formula

Elapsed years = max(0, min(2026, birth year + 62) − birth year − 22)

Computation years = elapsed years − floor(elapsed years ÷ 5), with at most 5 dropout years and at least 2 computation years

PIA = 90% of first $1,286 AIME + 32% up to $7,749 + 15% above

Disability maximum = min(max(85% of AIME, PIA), 150% of PIA)

The earnings illustration caps annual earnings at $184,500 and averages the selected computation years, with zeros for missing years. AIME rounds down to dollars and PIA to dimes. Dependents share the maximum remaining after the worker PIA, up to 50% each. Payments round down to dollars. Childcare dropout, previous disability freezes, indexed annual records and compensation offsets are excluded.

Example

Born in 1980 with first eligibility in 2026 gives 24 elapsed years, four dropout years and 20 computation years. Twenty earning years averaging $60,000 give AIME $5,000 and PIA $2,345.80. The worker receives $2,345. The family maximum is min($4,250, $3,518.70), leaving $1,172.90; two eligible children each receive $586 after rounding.