You may have a chance to increase your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits by submitting a request to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
However, the SSA will only increase your benefits in specific situations, generally if you’ve had a major change in your life.
Life circumstances can change unexpectedly, and if your situation changes, you or a family member might qualify for higher SSDI benefits. An Atlanta social security disability lawyer can provide general information on how to increase your SSDI benefits.
Are you struggling to make ends meet on your current Social Security Disability payments? You’re definitely not alone Many Americans find that their disability benefits just aren’t enough to cover their basic needs, especially with rising costs of living
The good news is that there are several legitimate ways you can potentially increase your Social Security Disability payments I’ve researched this topic extensively and am excited to share these strategies with you!
Why Are Disability Payments Different for Everyone?
Before you look at ways to make your payments bigger, you should know why benefits are so different for each person.
Your friend might be getting $1,600 a month while you’re only receiving $956. Why the big difference? It’s because Social Security calculates your disability benefits based on your lifetime earnings and how much you’ve paid into the system through Social Security taxes over the years.
The longer you’ve worked and the higher your wages were, the more you’ll likely receive in disability benefits. In 2025, the maximum SSDI benefit is $4,018 per month, but the average recipient gets around $1,580 monthly.
7 Ways to Increase Your Social Security Disability Payments
Let’s get right to the strategies that could put more money in your pocket:
1. Take Advantage of Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)
Every year, the Social Security Administration increases benefit amounts to account for inflation. This is known as the Cost of Living Adjustment or COLA.
For 2025, the COLA increase is 2.5%. While this isn’t as high as the 8.7% increase we saw in 2023, it still means your monthly benefit will go up automatically.
The best part? You don’t have to do anything to get this increase – it happens automatically!
2. Apply for Spousal Benefits
If you are married and getting disability benefits, your spouse may be able to get more benefits based on your record. This is particularly useful if your spouse is:
- Age 62 or older
- Of any age and caring for your child who is under 16 or disabled
- Retirement-aged
Your spouse could receive up to 50% of your disability benefit amount. For example, if you receive $1,500 monthly, your spouse might qualify for up to $750 additional dollars coming into your household.
3. Apply for Child Benefits
Did you know that if you have a disability record, your children may also be able to get benefits? This is true if your children are:
- Under age 18
- Up to age 19 if still in high school
- Adult children who became disabled before age 22
Each child who is eligible could get up to fifteen percent of your disability benefit. This can greatly increase the total amount of Social Security money that comes into your home.
4. Work for at Least 35 Years Before Retiring
The SSA calculates your benefit amount based on your highest 35 years of earnings. If you haven’t worked for a full 35 years when you apply for retirement benefits, your amount will be lower because some years will be counted as zero earnings.
While this may not help you immediately if you’re already on disability, it’s good to know for planning purposes.
5. Wait Until Full Retirement Age to Apply
This strategy depends on your age and situation. If you’re nearing retirement age (currently 67 for those born in 1960 or later), waiting until full retirement age to apply for benefits can increase your payment amount.
You can actually increase your Social Security payments by working until age 70 or later, because you’ll earn more credits to boost your benefit payments.
6. Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Depending on your financial situation, you might qualify for both SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI provides monthly payments of up to $967 (in 2025) for people with limited income and resources.
If you’re eligible for both programs, you could receive payments from both, increasing your total monthly income.
7. Hire a Disability Attorney to Review Your Case
One of the most effective ways to ensure you’re getting the maximum benefit amount is to hire an experienced disability attorney. They can:
- Review your disability claim for errors
- Help you navigate the complex process
- Advocate on your behalf
Studies show that claimants with legal representation have a much higher approval rate (around 60%) compared to those without (about 34%).
Other Strategies to Maximize Your Benefits
Here are a few more tips that might help increase your overall financial situation:
Maximize Your Back Pay
When you’re approved for SSDI, you’ll typically receive “back pay” covering the time between when your disability began and when your application was approved.
Pro tip: Establish a “protected filing date” as early as possible by notifying Social Security of your intent to apply. This can potentially increase your back pay amount!
Take Advantage of Medicare Benefits
After receiving SSDI for two years, you’ll qualify for Medicare. While Medicare isn’t free (premiums are deducted from your SSDI payments), most states offer programs that help pay these premiums if your income is low.
Consider Working Part-Time
In 2025, you can earn up to $1,620 per month ($2,700 if you’re blind) without affecting your SSDI benefits. This is called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit.
There’s also a “trial work period” where you can test your ability to work while still receiving full benefits regardless of how much you earn.
Appeal Your Benefit Award
If you believe your monthly benefit amount or back pay is incorrect, you have 60 days after receiving your award letter to file an appeal. Consider consulting with a disability attorney before doing this to strengthen your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really increase my SSDI payment amount?
The actual SSDI payment amount is calculated based on your work history, so there’s limited flexibility to increase your individual payment. However, you can bring more Social Security money into your household through family benefits and annual COLAs.
How much can my spouse receive based on my disability?
Your spouse can receive up to 50% of your disability benefit amount, depending on their age and other factors.
Will my disability payment ever decrease?
Generally, once established, your SSDI benefit won’t decrease unless you return to work and earn above the SGA limit, or if an overpayment is discovered.
What’s the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI is based on your work history and the Social Security taxes you’ve paid. SSI is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history.
Final Thoughts
While increasing your individual SSDI payment can be challenging, bringing more total Social Security money into your household is definitely possible through the strategies we’ve discussed.
Remember, the 2025 COLA increase will automatically raise your benefit by 2.5%, and exploring options like spousal benefits, child benefits, and SSI could significantly boost your total household income.
If you’re really struggling financially, don’t hesitate to reach out to a disability attorney who can review your case and ensure you’re receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to.
Have you tried any of these strategies to increase your disability payments? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
The Death of an Adult Child
If an adult child has died, you may be able to get parents’ benefits. In some cases, these benefits can add to the benefits you get from SSDI. For instance, you might be able to get SSDI if your child had enough work credits to be eligible and helped pay at least half of your bills.
How to Maximize the Benefits You Receive from SSDI
You can maximize your disability payments by providing detailed, thorough information when applying. Also, apply for disability benefits as soon as you can after becoming disabled. To be eligible for benefits, you must meet the SSA’s strict criteria:
- You must have paid enough into Social Security to get enough work credits.
- You must be disabled according to the SSA’s rules and have been disabled (or be expected to be disabled) for at least a year.
- You must be unable to earn substantial gainful activity (SGA)
Provide as much documentation of your condition as possible. Ask for help from your doctor in communicating your diagnosis. Be specific about how your condition prevents you from doing things.
The more you can show how your condition is disabling, the better your chances of approval. Even if you qualify, the SSA could deny your application due to a lack of information.
An attorney can walk you through all the steps of the application process to improve your chances of getting the benefits you deserve.