Atticus offers free, high-quality disability advice for Americans who can't work. Our team of Stanford and Harvard-trained lawyers has a combined 15+ years of legal experience and has helped over 50,000 Americans apply for disability benefits.
In Arizona, more than 150,000 disabled workers receive monthly checks and healthcare coverage from the Social Security Administration’s federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit programs.
How much do these programs pay? The monthly payments vary based on different factors. We’ll walk you through SSDI and SSI and help you determine how much you can receive in disability benefits in Arizona.
The maximum payment amount for SSDI in 2024 is $3,822 per month. The maximum monthly amount for SSI is $943. But you likely won’t receive the maximum amount. In Arizona, the average SSDI payment is $1,767.39 a month and the average monthly SSI payment is $605.67.
Those who qualify for monthly disability checks also receive healthcare coverage. If you have Social Security Disability Insurance, you’ll have Medicare. If you have Supplemental Security Income, you’ll receive Medicaid.
We'll use the Social Security Administration's formula to estimate your monthly benefit.
Average
monthly check
$1,489
To calculate your SSDI monthly benefits, you will need to determine your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME), so you can get your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The math can be a bit complicated, so let’s break that down:
Calculate AIME: AIME refers to your average earnings throughout your working years. The SSA takes your 35 highest-earning years to come up with your AIME. For example, if you worked 38 years, the SSA will only consider the 35 highest.
Split AIME into three: Next, you want to divide your AIME into three segments, or slices. The first slice accounts for the first $1,174 of earnings; the second covers what you earn between $1,175 and $7,078; the final slice is anything over $7,078.
Multiply and add: Multiply your first segment by 90%, your second by 32%, and your third by 15%. Add those three numbers to get your PIA, or your monthly SSDI benefit amount.
If that sounds intimidating, you can check your SSDI payment amount by simply creating a free SSA account.
For SSI, the Social Security Administration substracts the maximum federal benefit amount of $943 (as of 2024) from any countable income you currently have, including wages, benefit programs, and even income from someone who helps pay for your housing or food.
Hiring a disability lawyer costs nothing upfront. During your free consultation with your disability lawyer, they will receive your medical records and work history to determine if you have a chance of winning your disability case. You’ll then sign a contingency fee agreement. This means that if you win the case and the SSA approves your disability benefits, you agree to give your lawyer a percentage (generally 25%) of your first, or back pay, check.
Your first check is the amount the government paid you from past-due benefits accrued from the day you became disabled to the day SSA approved your claim.
Arizona currently has 14 SSA offices to help you apply for disability benefits. You can call them or directly speak with a representative in person. Here are a few locations to get started:
Apache Junction 253 W Superstition Blvd Apache Junction, AZ 85120 Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Phone Number: (866) 964-7417 Fax Number: (833) 950-3681 | Casa Grande 1637 E Monument Plaza Circle Suite 2 Casa Grande, AZ 85122 Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Phone Number: (877) 405-0403 Fax Number: (833) 950-3387 | Douglas 600 E 15th St Douglas, AZ 85607 Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Phone Number: (877) 480-4858 Fax Number: (833) 950-3667 |
Flagstaff 2715 S Woodlands Village Blvd Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Phone Number: (877) 319-0735 Fax Number: (833) 950-3659 | Glendale 5907 West Kings Ave Glendale, AZ 85306 Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Phone Number: (888) 886-7213 Fax Number: (833) 950-3685 | Mesa 702 West Jerome Ave Mesa, AZ 85210 Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Phone Number: (866) 964-1716 Fax Number: (833) 950-3687 |
Nogales 1760 North Mastick Way Nogales, AZ 85621 Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Phone Number: (877) 405-5472 Fax Number: (833) 571-0634 | Phoenix 16241 North Tatum Blvd Phoenix, AZ 85032 Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Phone Number: (866) 348-7855 Fax Number: (833) 950-3673 |
Applying for disability in Arizona doesn’t have to be a challenge. Take our two-minute quiz and connect with a client advocate who will provide you with important (and free) information on your disability claim. While you don’t have to seek representation to apply, a disability lawyer in Arizona can effectively build your disability case. Statistically, applicants who work with disability lawyers are three times more likely to win disability benefits. Plus, a disability lawyer can help you:
Review your case: Before you apply, your disability lawyer will give their expert opinion on your chances of winning your benefits case.
File your paperwork: Your lawyer will file and submit your application with the correct information, including your work history, medical history and relevant medical evidence.
File an appeal: The SSA denies more than 70% of initial Social Security Disability applications. A lawyer can help you file an appeal and ensure the judge has your medical records before your hearing.
Prepare for your hearing: Speaking to a judge can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re unsure of what to say. Before your hearing, a disability lawyer can coach you on how to respond to questions a judge may ask.
To qualify for disability you need to have a condition that prevents you from working for at least a year. You’ll also need to meet certain work history requirements (for SSDI) or be within certain income limits (for SSI). For more on these requirements, read our full write up here.
Any condition that will prevent you from working for a year or more can qualify for disability benefits. Some of the most common conditions include musculoskeletal disorders, mental disorders, nervous system diseases, and circulatory system diseases. See our full list of conditions that qualify here.
It takes an average of 6.1 months to get an initial disability decision in Arizona. Most people who apply are initially rejected, and need to appeal this decision. If you appeal and go to a hearing, the process takes around two years on average. Read more: How Long It Takes to Get Approved for Disability Benefits
The average SSDI payment in Arizona is $1,329.39 per month. The average SSI payment is $574.76 per month. What you’ll earn is dependent on your income, or the amount you’ve historically paid into the Social Security program. Read more on what amount you can expect.
Answer the application questions truthfully, consistently, and succinctly. You should also ensure that you gather and submit all your medical records with your application. The SSA paperwork can be complicated, so our legal team has written a full guide to the application here.
No, Arizona doesn't have a state disability program. Only five states (California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island) have a state program. Residents of Arizona can apply for federal disability programs (SSDI and SSI). Read more about SSDI and SSI here.
How long has your condition made it hard to work?
Jackie Jakab
Lead Attorney
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