Published on: February 24, 2023
Once you make it through the application process and receive a notice approving your claim for disability benefits, it’s only natural to be curious about when to expect the first payment. After all, you have bills and expenses that need to be paid.
The folks at Disability Experts Florida understand how important disability in Florida is for the people they help through the application or appeal process to get that first benefit payment. This article takes you through the payment process for short-term disability benefits through Florida State Disability Insurance as well as payments through Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income, which are the long-term disability programs administered through the Social Security Administration.
How Often Do You Get Paid on Disability In Florida?
If you have a short-term disability, which is one that is not expected to last for more than a year, you may be eligible for Florida State Disability Insurance payments. The payments replace from 60% to 70% of your average wages.
Average wages for purposes of SDI benefits are computed using what you earned during a base period. The state uses the quarter during the base period that you made the most money as the basis for computing your SDI benefits.
SDI typically pays benefits every two weeks with the first payment about two weeks from when you filed the initial claim. Benefits are paid through a debit card, direct deposit to your bank account, or by a check that you receive in the mail, and they continue for up to 52 weeks or until your doctor certifies that you can return to work, whichever occurs first.
Social Security Disability In Florida
If you have a disability caused by a medically determinable physical or mental health impairment expected to last for at least one year or result in death, you may qualify for benefits through the two programs administered by the Social Security Administration. Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income pay monthly benefits.
Eligibility for benefits through the SSDI program is based on having a work record that is long enough for you to qualify provided you paid into the Social Security system through payroll taxes on the income that you earned. If you meet the work requirements, your monthly benefit payment is determined through a calculation that uses your lifetime earnings with the maximum benefit being $3,627 a month. The average monthly benefit in 2023 according to the Social Security Administration is $1,483.
SSI benefits are reserved for people with low incomes and assets or resources of limited value. The monthly federal benefit of $914 for one person and $1,371 for couples. Many states, including Florida, pay a monthly state supplement to those who qualify for federal SSI benefits.
The Florida supplement is generally based on your living status, so a disabled person who lives independently could receive $1,133.73 a month in federal and state benefits. If the person qualifies for SSI because of being blind, the combined monthly benefit in Florida is $1,211 when they live independently. A Disability Experts Florida disability Advocate can review your claim to determine what you should receive as a combined monthly benefit based on your living arrangements and other factors that may apply.
SSI Payment Dates
You can expect to receive your monthly SSI benefit payment on the first day of each month, which actually represents a payment of your benefits for the prior month. However, if the first of the month is on a legal holiday the payment is made on the business day prior to the holiday unless it’s a Saturday or Sunday.
Payments that would normally be paid on the weekend are paid on the Friday immediately before the weekend. If Friday is a legal holiday, then you get paid on disability in Florida on the previous business day.
The rule about early payments for months where the first of the month falls on the weekend or on a legal holiday may cause confusion at different times of the year when you may receive two payments during the same month. It’s not an overpayment. Instead, it occurs because the first day of the month is on a holiday or a weekend, so you get your payment on the last day of the previous month.
SSDI Payment Dates
The SSDI payment date is determined by the date on which you were born as follows:
- If you were born on the first through the 10th day of a month, your SSDI payment is on the second Wednesday of each month.
- If you were born on the 11th through the 20th, your payment is on the third Wednesday of each month.
- If you were born on the 21st through the 31st, payment is on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
People who qualify for both SSI and SSDI benefits receive their SSDI payment on the third day of each month regardless of their birthdate.
Learn More From A Disability Lawyer
If you have questions or concerns about Florida SDI or Social Security disability payments, get answers from a disability Advocate at Disability Experts Florida. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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