What Other Benefits Can I Get With SSDI (2025)

What Is Included in SSDI Benefits?

The biggest benefit included in SSDI is the monthly cash payment. The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates this payment based on your work history and the number of years you paid into Social Security.

Additionally, recipients can expect an annual cost-of-living adjustment to their SSDI payments. The average monthly payment for SSDI is $1,537 in 2024, up 3.2% from 2023. The maximum monthly payout you could receive in 2024 is $3,822, which is up from $3,627 in 2023.

These SSDI payments are helpful, but they may not be enough to live comfortably. You might still be asking, “What other benefits can I get with SSDI?”

First, many recipients qualify for family and survivor benefits. The following family members could be eligible to receive up to 50% of the value of your cash benefit:

• Your spouse
• An ex-spouse
• Dependent children

With the family maximum, your family members could receive between 105% and 180% of your monthly cash benefit.

What Other Benefits Might Be Available?

Once you qualify for SSDI, you may have access to a mix of public and private benefits and SSDI discounts.

Whether you can take advantage of certain programs for SSDI recipients depends on your income and where you live, so consider taking time to research these programs. They may fill a gap in meeting your financial, healthcare or household needs. Here are some programs and benefits you can explore.

Medicare

Medicare is the federal healthcare insurance program for people age 65 and older. However, once you have received SSDI payments for 24 months — no matter your age — the government will automatically enroll you in Medicare Part A and Part B.

Medicare Part A covers hospital costs, and Part B covers doctor’s visits. You will receive a notice from Medicare a few months before your coverage begins.

You can choose to enroll in Medicare Part C (private healthcare insurance that is also known as “Medicare Advantage”) and Part D, which covers prescription medications. However, adding on Parts C and D will be at your own expense.

Continued Health Coverage From Work

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows people who leave an employer to keep the healthcare coverage they once received from the employer’s group health insurance provider.

COBRA coverage is temporary, lasting between 18 and 36 months, and it could cost you as much as 102% of the premium to maintain. Still, if you know the answer to “What is a consequence of not having health insurance?” you’ll understand the potential benefits of using COBRA insurance until your Medicare kicks in.

Supplemental Security Income

Depending on the amount of your SSDI payment, your age and your other assets, you might qualify to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) along with SSDI. SSI is a disability payment from the SSA for people who are disabled or at least 65 and who lack income and other resources.

If you qualify for SSI, you also then can qualify for other aid programs, such as Medicaid, a state-run federal healthcare program for low-income adults, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the food stamp program.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses

If you work while receiving SSDI, the SSA allows you to deduct certain disability-related work expenses from your income. Deductions can help you maintain your eligibility for SSDI by keeping your monthly earnings below the allowable level.

For example, you can deduct the cost of copays, medications, vehicle modifications, assistive technologies, software, computer support services, a personal or job coach and more.

Private Disability Benefits

You may have private insurance or a pension plan from a former employer that pays you a benefit. Those payouts from a private source won’t affect your SSDI payments from the SSA.

Other Public Disability Benefits

Beyond the federal disability income programs, other federal, state and local programs and discounts could add to your SSDI benefits. Some are discounts for SSI recipients, and some require you to reside in a specific state or region.

Consider these additional benefits to your SSDI cash payment:

• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which helps pay heating bills
• Benefits under workers’ compensation
• Benefits under State Temporary Disability Insurance (SDI) programs
• The Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides discounted internet access
• The Lifeline Program, a federal telephone and internet subsidy
• Discounted over-the-counter medical supplies

While SSDI can soften the financial blow of a disability, the cash payment may not be enough to cover all your needs. Applying for other benefits you may be eligible for as an SSDI recipient can add to your quality of life and help you support your family.

Ask ConsumerShield About SSDI Benefits and Insurance

Qualifying for SSDI benefits can open up access to many additional programs and discounts. A Social Security disability lawyer will understand these programs and explore other subsidies and grants available to you.

At ConsumerShield, we connect you with legal professionals who can help you apply for SSDI and answer your questions. Get in touch with us today to find all the benefits you might be eligible for.