How Much are Disability Benefits in New York? Average SSDI, SSI, and State Benefit Amounts

There are three main disability programs available for New York residents: State disability benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 

In New York, state disability insurance provides benefits for up to 26 weeks, with a maximum payment of $170 per week. Social Security Disability Insurance in New York averages $1,540.57 monthly, and the average monthly payment for SSI is $608.38 (according to the SSA’s most recent Annual Report).

The program you qualify for determines what your benefit payment will be.  

We’ll explain how benefit amounts are calculated, and explain what amount you can expect — based on your program eligibility, work history, and current income. 

New York disability benefits pay chart 2024

How are state disability benefits calculated in New York? 

Your state disability benefits are based on your prior wages. You’ll be paid 50% of your average weekly wage, though this is capped at a maximum of $170 per week.

This average weekly wage is calculated based on your last 8 weeks of work. If you’re unemployed when you become disabled, disability benefits may also replace unemployment insurance benefits. Read more about State Disability benefits here.

How is SSDI calculated in NY?

Your SSDI payment is based on how much you’ve historically paid into Social Security through taxes. That check size is equal to the amount you would receive in retirement benefits, were you to draw them today. 

The formula used to calculate this is actually quite complex. In short, the SSA averages your monthly earnings for up to 35 years of wages — then adjusts them for inflation. They average those adjusted wages to calculate your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) — and your payment is based on “slices” of that. You can read more about the full equation here. 

The easiest way to find out exactly what your SSDI amount would be is to create an account at SSA.gov. You’ll be able to see what your estimated SSDI amount would be, and confirm your technical eligibility for the program. Here’s an article that walks you through creating an account. 

How is SSI calculated in NY? 

Your SSI amount is based on a set federal benefit rate, and your other income sources. This benefit rate is $943 in 2024. 

Put simply: Your monthly SSI benefit = the maximum SSI federal benefit rate – your countable income.

So if you have no other income sources, your SSI amount should be $943 per month. If you receive $190 in food stamps, but no other income, your SSI amount would be $753 ($943 - $190). 

For more on how to estimate your SSI benefits, read: How is SSI Calculated and What Counts as Income?

Can I receive benefits from multiple programs at once?  

You can apply for state benefits alongside other disability benefits, but it’s unlikely you’ll receive both benefits simultaneously. It takes months — sometimes years — to get approved for federal disability programs. So your state benefits will likely have expired by the time your SSDI or SSI benefits are in place.

You can also apply for SSDI and SSI at the same time; both programs even use the same application. 

If you qualify for SSDI your benefit is almost always higher than with SSI — but you still might want to apply for both. That’s because both programs come with free healthcare (Medicare for SSDI and Medicaid for SSI) — but with SSDI, there’s a waiting period for that health insurance to kick in. With SSI, you’ll start receiving health insurance the moment your application is approved.

Who qualifies for disability in New York? 

You qualify for New York disability benefits if your disability was caused “off-the-job” and you’re currently seeing a physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, psychologist, dentist, or certified nurse midwife. If you were injured on-the-job, you qualify for New York workers’ compensation instead. 

You qualify for SSDI if you have a medical condition that will prevent you from working for at least a year. You’ll also have to meet work history requirements; most people meet these eligibility qualifications if they’ve worked 5 out of the last 10 years. Learn more about qualifying for SSDI in New York. 

You qualify for SSI if you have a medical condition that will prevent you from working for at least a year. You’ll also need to have very few assets, and very little income. Learn more about qualifying for SSI in New York. 

How much does a disability lawyer cost in New York?

There are no upfront costs to working with a Social Security disability lawyer. Disability attorneys work on a contingency basis, so you only pay a set fee after the SSA approves your disability claim. The contingency fee is 25% and capped at $7,200 by law.

A disability lawyer can help gather your medical records, submit paperwork, and represent you at a disability hearing. Working with a disability lawyer increases your chances of winning benefits by three times.

Frequently asked questions: 

How much is disability in NY a month?

The average SSDI payment is $1,540.57 per month in New York, and the average SSI payment is $608.38. State disability benefits in New York depend on your former average weekly wage — but the maximum amount is $170 per week. 

How much are most disability checks?

The average Social Security Disability Insurance check amount is between $1,400 and $1,500 monthly in most states. The average monthly SSI benefit is worth between $500 and $700 in all states

How long does it take to get disability in NY?

For New York State disability benefits, there is a seven-day waiting period during which no benefits are paid or accumulated. Benefits begin on the eighth consecutive day of disability. These benefits last up to 26 weeks. Federal disability benefits (SSDI and SSI) have longer waiting periods (several months to over a year) — but last indefinitely. 

SSA offices in New York 

A few Atticus disability firms in New York