How Much Does Disability Pay in Colorado?
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.
If you cannot work due to an injury or illness, you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Nearly 100,000 Colorado residents receive disability benefits every year. In this article, we’ll review how much Social Security disability pays and provide some tips on how to qualify for disability in Colorado.
Disability benefits in Colorado
There are two main types of Social Security disability benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both programs provide monthly financial support and access to healthcare.
SSDI is primarily for those who have worked at least 5 of the last 10 years and paid Social Security taxes. SSI, on the other hand, is a need-based program for those with limited employment history, low income, and very few assets.
Learn more about the differences between SSDI and SSI here.
How much does disability pay in Colorado?
How much disability pays depends on the program you qualify for, among several other factors (more on that below). In 2024, the maximum monthly SSDI payment is $3,822, and the SSI payment is $943.
While these are nice sums, most people receive less than the maximum amounts. In Colorado, SSDI beneficiaries receive an average monthly payment of $1,780.36, and SSI beneficiaries receive an average monthly payment of $594.10.
How is SSDI calculated?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) does a few calculations to come up with monthly SSDI payments. These calculations are based on how much money you made while working, and how much Social Security tax you paid during that time.
First, they calculate your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). To do so, they review up to 35 years of annual earnings and index your income to account for cost of living changes and inflation. Then, they calculate the average of those indexed amounts.
The second step is calculating your primary insurance amount (PIA), which is slightly more complicated. The SSA slices your AIME into three parts and adds a percentage of each to total your monthly disability payment.
Here’s what the PIA calculation looks like in 2024:
90% of the first slice (your first $1,174 of AIME) PLUS
32% of the second slice (any AIME between $1,175 and $7,078) PLUS
15% of the third slice (any AIME over $7,078)
The SSA rounds down to the next-lowest $0.10 multiple. So, if your PIA calculation comes out to $1,358.32, your benefit check would be rounded down to $1,358.30.
Read our detailed guide on calculating SSDI benefits.
How is SSI calculated?
You need two calculations to determine your monthly SSI benefit. Before you can do the main calculation, you need to calculate your countable income.
The SAA calculates countable income with the following formula:
Countable income = (earned income - $65) * ½ + unearned income + in-kind income + deemed income
Read more about what counts as earned, unearned, in-kind, and deemed income in our SSI calculation guide.
After calculating your countable income, the SAA uses the following formula to calculate your monthly benefit:
Monthly SSI benefit = the maximum SSI federal benefit rate ($943 in 2024) – your countable income
Estimate your disability benefit amount in just a few steps
We'll use the Social Security Administration's formula to estimate your monthly benefit.
Average
monthly check
$1,489
How much does a disability lawyer cost in Colorado?
The good news is that disability lawyers work on a contingency basis. That means you don’t pay them anything upfront, and they only get paid if the SSA approves your disability case, and you win benefits. Disability lawyers typically charge 25% of your first benefits check. By law, the maximum they can charge is $7,200.
Get help applying for disability benefits
While working with a disability lawyer isn’t required, it can be beneficial. In fact, it makes you three times as likely to win benefits. Disability lawyers can help you complete your application, gather your medical records, and represent you at a disability hearing if needed.
At Atticus, we provide personalized advice and can connect you with a qualified lawyer if you'd like. Take our 2-minute disability quiz to get started.
Frequently asked questions about benefits in Colorado
What qualifies you for disability in Colorado?
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.
What conditions qualify for disability in Colorado?
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.
How long does it take to get approved for disability in Colorado?
It takes an average of 7-8 months to get an initial disability decision in Colorado. 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
How much does disability pay in Colorado?
The average SSDI payment in Colorado is $1,780.36 per month. The average SSI payment is $594.10. 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.
How should I prepare my disability application in Colorado?
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.
Does Colorado have a state disability program?
No, Colorado does not have a state disability program. Only five states (California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island) have a state program. Residents of Colorado can apply for federal disability programs (SSDI and SSI). Read more about SSDI and SSI here.
Related resources:
Colorado Disability Benefits: How to Qualify, Apply, and Get Approved
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