How to Calculate Social Security Disability Benefits

Social security disability is awarded to individuals who are born with disabilities and/or become disabled later in life due to illness and/or injury. There are two programs in which individuals receive these payments. They are awarded benefits based on the amount of money paid into social security during years of employment or they receive what is known as supplemental security income. 

1. Determine in which type of disability you are eligible. If you became disabled due to injury or illness after you were once able to work, you could receive adult disability payments. If you were born with a condition that deems you disabled, you could receive SSI. Review the eligibility criteria listed on the Social Security Administration website at SSA.org.


2. Locate the disability calculator if you are eligible for adult disability payments. Type "calculator" into the search box found on the main SSA.org web page. Hit ENTER. Select the link for the disability calculator. Begin completing the web form shown on the calculator page. Once you finish completing this form review the information you entered to ensure that you did not leave out any information. Click "Submit." Your possible disability payment amount will appear within a report on your screen. 


3. Calculate your household income if you or your child is eligible for SSI. If you are 18 yrs of age or older you are allowed $2,000 in income each month and if you are married you allowed $3,000. If your child is under 18, the SSI award is determined by using your total monthly income. 


4. Add up your total income. If you are married, add your total gross monthly income with your spouse's total gross monthly income. 


5. Deduct $674 if you have children living in your home that are not eligible for SSI other than the child for which you are calculating SSI payments. This is considered a living allowance for your other children.


6. Deduct $20, which is the $20 of your income not counted by the SSA. 


7. Deduct $65, which is the amount of wages not counted by the SSA.


8. Divide the balance by two and then subtract this result from the balance. Half of your total income at this point is not counted toward SSI payments. 


9. Subtract $1,011 from the remaining wages in step 9. A living allowance is allowed in the amount of $1,011 for the parents. The remaining balance is the only part of the total income that is counted toward the SSI payments. Any remaining balance is subtracted from the allowed SSI amount in which the government is allowed to pay recipients. In some states, this amount is $674. You would subtract any remaining balance from $674. This is the amount of SSI payments you and/or your child will receive.