In New York, there are two federal programs that provide disability benefits which are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both provide financial aid to people who are disabled, but they differ in their eligibility requirements and payment structure.
SSDI benefits are based on the individual’s work history and the amount of Social Security taxes that have been paid into the system. To be eligible, a person must have accumulated a certain number of work credits. The amount of SSDI payments can vary and are calculated based on the individual’s average lifetime earnings before the onset of the disability. Monthly benefits can vary depending on the work record, but on average SSDI payment is around $1,300 to $1,400.
SSI, however, is a needs-based program that does not need a work history. Instead, it is available to individuals with limited income and resources. SSI payments are standardized, with a federal benefit rate of $914 for individuals and $1,371 for couples in 2024, though New York adds a small supplement for residents.
Payments for both programs are distributed each month. SSDI payments are normally higher than SSI due to them being income-based, while the aim of SSI is to ensure a minimum income is available to those with limited financial means.
How Much Disability Benefits Can You Earn in New York
In New York, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are determined by federal standards, but the amount you actually receive may be influenced by specific state supplements and income limits. For SSDI, the monthly benefit depends on previous earnings and work history, and averages between $800 and $1,800, with a maximum of around $3,627 in 2024. Payments are paid monthly, normally on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday, depending on the claimant’s birth date.
For SSI, the federal benefit rate in 2024 is $914 for an individual and $1,371 for a couple, but New York provides an additional state supplement, which varies based on your living arrangement and other income. Payments are made each month, normally on the 1st of each month.
New York has precise rules for earnings limits. For an SSDI recipient, substantial gainful activity (SGA) in 2024 is capped at $1,470 per month ($2,460 for blind individuals). Exceeding this amount could lead to a benefit suspension. For SSI, New York allows recipients to work part-time but imposes income limits that reduce SSI payments accordingly.
SSI Payment Rates in New York
In 2024, the federal base SSI payment is $914 per month for individuals and $1,371 for a couple. This amount is set nationally, but states like New York provide additional payments to help qualifying residents manage the higher cost of living. This is known as the New York State Supplement Program (SSP), which increases the monthly SSI benefit for those residents who qualify. The amount of the New York SSP varies depending on living arrangements. For example, a single person living independently may receive up to an additional $87 per month, while couples could see an extra $104 monthly. If you live with others or in a care facility, these supplement amounts may differ slightly but generally range from $23 to over $200, depending on specific needs and living situations.
SSI payments, including the SSP, are paid monthly. New York’s added SSP support provides much-needed financial assistance to residents with disabilities, ensuring that they have a higher total monthly benefit than the federal minimum alone.
Factors That Influence Disability Payment Amounts in New York
Work History and Earnings (SSDI) for 2024, the federal base SSI payment is $914 per month for individuals and $1,371 for couples. This amount is set nationally, but states like New York provide additional payments to help eligible residents manage the higher cost of living. Known as the New York State Supplement Program (SSP), this supplement increases the monthly SSI benefit for qualifying residents.
Income and Resources (SSI)
SSI is a need-based program, so an individual's income and resources play a key role in determining eligibility and payment amounts. In New York, as in other states, both earned and unearned income are considered when calculating SSI benefits, as the program is available to support those with limited financial resources.
Income includes wages, Social Security benefits, pensions, and even support from friends or family. Some income is excluded which includes the first $20 of most monthly income (known as the general income exclusion) and the first $65 of earned income, plus 50% of any earned income over $65. Any remaining countable income is subtracted from the maximum federal SSI payment, plus any New York state supplement, to determine the final benefit amount.
Resources include assets such as cash, bank accounts, stocks, and property that could be used to meet living expenses. For SSI, individuals can have no more than $2,000 in resources, and couples can have up to $3,000. Certain assets are excluded, like a primary home, one vehicle, and some personal items.
New York follows federal guidelines for income and resource limits, which means that exceeding these limits may decrease or disqualify individuals from receiving SSI benefits.
Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) & Taxes in New York
Annual Increases in Benefit Amounts
Each year, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are adjusted so they keep pace with inflation through a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). The COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures changes in the cost of goods and services. When inflation rises, the COLA increases SSDI and SSI benefits to help recipients maintain their purchasing power. For 2024, the COLA increase is set at 3.2%, which is applied to both SSI and SSDI payments.
For New York residents, this federal COLA ensures that both the base SSI and SSDI payments adjust annually. New York’s state supplement for SSI (known as the State Supplement Program, or SSP) generally remains fixed, meaning that only the federal portion changes with the COLA. As a result, while the primary SSI payment rises each year, the New York SSP amount does not normally rise with inflation. The COLA is necessary for those on a low-income and the disabled to keep up with the rising cost of living, particularly in a high-cost state like New York.
Taxation of SSDI & SSI Benefits
In New York, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits may be subject to federal taxation but this will depend on an individual's total income, but New York State does not tax SSDI benefits. For federal taxes, SSDI benefits are taxable if your combined income, half of your SSDI benefits plus any other income is more than a set threshold. For an individual, SSDI becomes partially taxable if the combined income is more than $25,000, and for a married couple who file jointly, exceeds $32,000. In these cases, up to fifty percent of SSDI benefits could be taxed, and in a higher income bracket, up to 85%.
SSI benefits, on the other hand, are not normally taxable at either the federal or state level, including in New York. This is because SSI is strictly a need-based program that targets those on a low-income who meet specific financial criteria, so it is treated as nontaxable income.
Using DBH Benefits Calculator
The SSA’s DBH benefits calculator can be used to calculate how much SSDI benefits payments you should receive when payments are finally approved. There is always a time lag before an application is approved and this could be several months or years if you need to appeal a decision. Benefits payments may be backdated to the date of your application.
Consulting with a Disability Lawyer or Advocate
If you are confused about how much disability pays per month in New York and want to make sure you are getting the correct amount, you should contact a disability lawyer or advocate to explain how the amount is calculated and assess whether you are getting what you should be getting.
Use the free case evaluation form available below and get connected with a disability lawyer in New York today.
