Important: We updated this article in May 2023 to make sure all info below is both current and correct. Since 1960, the Social Security disability program has steadily increased the average monthly payment amount. In some years, SSD benefits increased significantly. This increase is due to Cost-Of-Living Adjustments (COLA) and economic inflation. The SSA’s Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program tracks average disability payments every year. Of course, in some years, monthly SSD benefits increased dramatically for disabled American workers. This is great news for those looking to apply for Social Security disability either now or in the near future.
See How Much Average SSD Benefits Increased Annually
After adjusting for inflation rates, 2023 looks to be the year when SSD benefits increased most due to an annual COLA. This year, SSD beneficiaries got at least $150 more per month than they did in 2022. This is due to an 8.7% COLA, the largest since 1981.
Prior to the 2023 COLA announcement in October 2022, the year when SSD benefits increased most was 2021. Just a year earlier, SSD recipients received about $76 extra in monthly benefits.
Average Monthly SSD Pay Amounts Since 1960
Below are the annual SSD pay amounts, on average, that people received nationwide:
1960: $89.31 per month
1961: $89.59 per month
1962: $89.99 per month
1963: $90.59 per month
1964: $91.12 per month
1965: $97.76 per month
1966: $98.09 per month
1967: $98.43 per month
1968: $111.86 per month
1969: $112.74 per month
1970: $131.26 per month
1971: $146.52 per month
1972: $179.32 per month
1973: $183 per month
1974: $205.70 per month
1975: $225.90 per month
1976: $245.17 per month
1977: $265.30 per month
1978: $288.30 per month
1979: $322 per month
1980: $370.70 per month
1981: $413.20 per month
1982: $440.60 per month
1983: $456.20 per month
1984: $470.70 per month
1985: $483.80 per month
1986: $487.90 per month
1987: $508.20 per month
1988: $529.50 per month
1989: $556 per month
1990: $587.20 per month
1991: $609.40 per month
1992: $626.10 per month
1993: $641.70 per month
1994: $661.40 per month
1995: $681.60 per month
1996: $703.90 per month
1997: $721.60 per month
1998: $733.10 per month
1999: $754.10 per month
2000: $786.40 per month
2001: $814.40 per month
2002: $834.30 per month
2003: $861.60 per month
2004: $894.10 per month
2005: $938 per month
2006: $977.70 per month
2007: $1,004 per month
2008: $1,063.10 per month
2009: $1,064.30 per month
2010: $1,067.80 per month
2011: $1,110.50 per month
2012: $1,130.34 per month
2013: $1,146.42 per month
2014: $1,165.39 per month
2015: $1,165.79 per month
2016: $1,171 per month
2017: $1,197 per month
2018: $1,200 per month
2019: $1,234 per month
2020: $1,258 per month
2021: $1,282 per month
2022: $1,358 per month
2023: $1,483 per month
How to Get Expert Claim Help at No Cost to You
If you’re considering applying for SSDI or SSI benefits, then you should speak with an experienced Social Security attorney. A lawyer will charge you nothing for expert claim help today. In fact, disability lawyers won’t accept your case unless you’re likely to win benefits. In fact, you’re nearly 3x more likely to get disability benefits if a lawyer files your application. They also cannot charge you anything until after you win your case. If you don’t win, then you pay $0 for expert claim help.
Want free expert claim help without leaving your home? Click the button below to start your free online benefits quiz to see if you may qualify now:
Get Your Free Benefits Evaluation
Lori Polemenakos is Director of Consumer Content and SEO strategist for LeadingResponse, a legal marketing company. An award-winning journalist, writer and editor based in Dallas, Texas, she's produced articles for major brands such as Match.com, Yahoo!, MSN, AOL, Xfinity, Mail.com, and edited several published books. Since 2016, she's published hundreds of articles about Social Security disability, workers' compensation, veterans' benefits, personal injury, mass tort, auto accident claims, bankruptcy, employment law and other related legal issues.