Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a government program in the United States that provides monthly payments to people who can no longer work due to a disability. This program is managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and in 2025, there are some important rules and updates you should know.
Whether you’re already receiving SSDI or planning to apply, this guide will help you understand who qualifies, how much you can receive, and when you can expect payments.
No Minimum Age – But There Are Conditions
There is no minimum age to receive SSDI benefits. What really matters is that the person:
- Is not yet at full retirement age (between 66 and 67, depending on birth year)
- Has a serious disability that prevents them from doing any work for at least one year
- Has enough Social Security work credits
Once a person reaches their full retirement age, SSDI automatically turns into retirement benefits. So, even if you start SSDI earlier, the payment continues under a different name after retirement age.
Social Security Credits: The Key to SSDI
To qualify for SSDI, you must have earned enough Social Security credits through work. In 2025, you get 1 credit for every $1,810 earned, and you can earn up to 4 credits per year. So, in total, earning $7,240 in a year gives you 4 credits.
How Many Credits Are Needed?
It depends on your age at the time of disability:
- Under 24: 6 credits in the last 3 years
- Age 24 to 31: Credits equal to half the years since age 21
- Age 31 and above: At least 20 credits in the last 10 years
- Age 40: About 18 credits (4.5 years of work)
- Age 62 and above: 40 credits (10 years of work)
This system ensures that the applicant has recent and long-term work history before claiming benefits.
What If You Are Younger Than 22?
There’s a special rule for disabled adult children. If the person’s disability began before age 22 and their parent is retired, disabled, or deceased, they can receive childhood disability benefits. The child must not have their own work history but can qualify based on the parent’s record.
SSDI Benefit Amounts in 2025
The maximum SSDI payment in May and June 2025 is $4,018 per month. This is the highest amount and is only given to people who earned very high salaries consistently over 35 years.
The SSA uses your average indexed earnings, removes your 5 lowest years of earnings, and calculates your benefit based on the remaining highest-earning years. So, the more you earn and the longer you work, the higher your SSDI benefit will be.
SSDI Payment Schedule for May and June 2025
SSDI benefits are paid monthly, and the payment date depends on your birth date. Here are the official dates:
May 2025 SSDI Payment Dates:
- May 14: If born between 1st–10th
- May 21: If born between 11th–20th
- May 28: If born between 21st–31st
June 2025 SSDI Payment Dates:
- June 11: If born between 1st–10th
- June 18: If born between 11th–20th
- June 25: If born between 21st–31st
If you started receiving benefits before June 1997, your May payment came early—on May 2, 2025, as May 3 fell on a Saturday. In June, you’ll receive your benefit on June 3, as scheduled.
Things That Can Change Your SSDI Payment
The monthly payment usually remains fixed. However, the amount can change if your income increases or your living situation changes. If something important in your life changes (like returning to work or receiving another benefit), you must inform the SSA immediately.