The Social Security Administration (SSA) has good news, particularly for disabled workers receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits. This is a federal initiative aimed at people with disabilities that limit their ability to work, and it requires a history of contributions to the system as well as a medical condition that meets strict criteria: a minimum duration of 12 months or risk of death.
The SSA divides beneficiaries into three large groups based on their dates of birth, similar to how retirement benefits are divided: those born between the 1st and 10th of any month, those born between the 11th and 21st, and those born between the 21st and 31st.
New SSDI payments: recipient group with payment due March 12, 2025
The payment for the second Wednesday of each month—for example, March 12th—is assigned to beneficiaries who began collecting after May 1997 and whose birthdays fall between the first and tenth of the month. Those who started receiving assistance before May 1997 receive their payments on the third of each month, regardless of their birth date.
The SSDI amount is calculated using the average indexed monthly income (AIME) over the 35 years with the highest income. In 2024, the highest benefit was $3,822. In 2025, a 2.5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) was applied, raising it to $4,018.
Can a family member inherit SSDI payments?
When a disabled worker receiving SSDI benefits dies, their personal benefits cease. Survivor benefits, on the other hand, are available to your family members based on your employment history and Social Security contributions.
This article explains how the system works, who is eligible, the amounts, and the application process.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides survivor benefits to family members of deceased workers who have a sufficient work history. These monthly payments are intended to support those who rely on the worker.
Unlike SSI (Supplemental Security Income), which does not provide this type of assistance, SSDI allows loved ones to receive support after death.
The focus here is SSDI, because the disabled worker had a work record that qualified him. This analysis is based on official data and explains the process clearly and precisely.
Various family members may qualify for survival benefits, according to specific criteria:
- Surviving spouse: You must be at least 60 years old or 50 if disabled. If you care for a child under 16 or disabled, you can receive them without age limit. For example, a 55-year-old spouse with a 10-year-old child can access immediately.
- Children: They must be single and under 18 years of age, or up to 19 if they study high school full-time. Children disabled before age 22 also qualify. A 17-year-old child in secondary school, for example, receives support until he is 19 if he continues studying.
- dependent parents: They must be 62 years old or older and have depended on the worker for at least half of their income. A 65-year-old father who lived with the deceased may be eligible.
- Ex-spouses: They need to be married for at least 10 years, not have remarried (except after age 60 or 50 if they are disabled) and not have major benefits of their own. An ex-wife married 12 years without remarriage could qualify.
The survival benefits are determined according to the Basic Benefit Amount (PIA) of the worker, calculated with his work history. With a hypothetical PIA of $2,000:
- Spouse: At full retirement age (66-67 years) you receive 100% ($2,000). Between 60 and that age, between 71.5% ($1,430) and 99%. If you care for a minor or disabled child, you get 75% ($1,500).
- Children: Each can receive up to 75% ($1,500), subject to family maximum.
- Parents: Up to 82.5% ($1,650), also limited by the family maximum.
- Ex-spouses: Similar to the spouse, but does not affect the family maximum.
The family maximum limits the amount paid to all beneficiaries. With a $2,000 PIA, one beneficiary receives $2,000 (100%), two $3,000 (150%), three $3,600 (180%), and up to seven $5,000 (250%). If a spouse and two children total $4,500, the amount is reduced to $3,600 to avoid exceeding the limit.
The worker’s spouse or eligible child receives a one-time death payment of $255. This amount can help with funeral costs.