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If you cannot work because of a medical condition, you may qualify for two federal disability programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This guide will help you understand both programs and Social Security Disability benefits by state.
SSDI is federal insurance for people who have worked and paid into Social Security but can no longer work or perform “substantial gainful activity (SGA),” which in 2026 is making $1,690 a month or $2,830 a month if you’re blind.
SSI is a federal needs-based program you can get without a qualifying work history or Social Security credits if you have limited income and resources.
Both programs are managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSI and SSDI payments vary depending on your work history and location. Monthly payment amounts for both programs are adjusted annually based on cost-of-living increases. Payments in 2026 are 2.8% more than they were in 2025.
While your disability payments depend on your work history and age, residents in the following states average higher benefits. The top 10 states with the highest SSDI benefits, in order of average payment amount, are: New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada, Connecticut, Arizona, Maryland, New York, Hawaii, New Hampshire, and California. The average Social Security disability payments range from $1,567 to $1,694 in these states. (See full chart below for your state’s average benefit amount.)
Disability recipients who receive the lowest average monthly payments live in the District of Columbia, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Maine, New Mexico, Vermont, Montana, Iowa, and Arkansas. The lowest monthly benefit averages range from $1,358 to $1,455.
How much does Social Security disability pay in your state? (Amounts based on 2025 payments plus the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment.)
Since SSI is a needs-based program, you may get both SSDI and SSI if you are disabled and low-income, or only get SSI benefits if you don’t have a work history.
Some states also give State Supplemental Payment (SSP) to SSI recipients. The state decides whether you qualify and your payment amounts.
In 2026, Arizona, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia do not offer state supplements.
SSP management also varies by state. The SSA manages supplemental payments in California, Hawaii, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, and Vermont. The SSA manages specific categories in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.
States that manage their SSP programs are Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
How much do you get for disability and SSI in your state? This table shows the average SSDI payments in 2026, the average SSI payments in 2026, and whether the state offers SSP. (Averages based on 2025 data plus 2026 cost-of-living adjustment.)
Your monthly benefits may differ from averages for many reasons. Your SSDI benefits are based on your work history and earnings before you became disabled, and whether you get other benefits like Workers’ Compensation or a pension.
SSI payments vary based on your earned income, the value of your resources, your living situation, and whether you also get SSP.
Your Social Security disability payments are based on work credits you earn by paying Social Security taxes. You can earn up to four credits a year (since 1978), depending on your annual income, not work hours. To be eligible for retirement, you need 40 credits. Disability benefits stem from your average earnings from work years before your disability began. Requirements vary depending on how old you were when you became disabled.
Some states offer different SSP benefit amounts for certain disabilities and pay more if you live in a city with a higher cost of living.
The easiest way to estimate your monthly disability benefits is through your “my Social Security” account. It shows your work credits, retirement calendar, and estimated disability benefits. You may also start your application process in your account.
If you haven’t set up a Social Security account yet, SSA online calculators can also help you estimate your retirement age, qualified earnings, benefits, and spouse’s benefits. For estimated SSDI benefits or retirement benefits, try this online SSDI calculator.
You can’t estimate SSI payments online, but the max benefits in 2026 are $994 per person or $1,491 per couple. As mentioned above, monthly payments vary state-to-state and case-to-case. Your state’s Department of Health and Human Services website may offer payment details or an online calculator.
Understanding and estimating your disability benefits can be confusing and frustrating. Learn more from our comprehensive step-by-step disability guides or contact an Advocate representative for a free 15-minute consultation today.
New Jersey has the highest monthly average disability benefit in 2026.
The SSA doesn’t provide statistics on disability approvals by state. SSA data from 2010 to 2019 shows that only about 20% of disability claims were approved at the initial application stage. Another 2% of claims were approved on the first appeal, and 8% were approved after a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). In that time, 67% of disability claims were denied.
SSDI benefits are based on your work history before you became disabled. SSI benefits are needs-based and not related to work history.
Your SSDI benefit is based on your lifetime earnings from before you became disabled, so it won’t increase if you move. However, some states don’t tax Social Security benefits, which could affect your benefit amount.
Across the U.S., the average 2026 monthly disability check is $1,524.64, up from $1,481.95 in 2025 due to a cost-of-living increase in benefits.
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