For Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) benefits, the amount is based on your reported lifetime earnings as they were reported to the government. Basically, when you paid taxes on your earnings, you paid into the SSDI system, so your monthly benefit amount will be based on those reported earnings. You can log into your social security account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ and see your lifetime earnings there, as well as your estimated monthly payment.
For Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits, the amount is set by the administration and changes every year due to inflation and cost of living, in 2024 the maximum amount is $943 for an individual and $1,415 for a couple. If you work, this amount will be reduced. For every $2 you earn from work, $1 will be reduced from your SSI benefits. Income received from non-work sources will reduce this amount dollar for dollar. Living in someone elses home and not paying your fair portion of food, rent, etc will lower the SSI benefits by $334.33.
