How Much Can You Receive for Mental Health Disability?

The payment amount for mental health disabilities varies depending on the type of disability program you are applying for—SSDI or SSI.

1. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSDI is based on your work history and the amount you have paid into the Social Security system through payroll taxes. The amount you will receive from SSDI depends on your past earnings. Here's what you need to know about SSDI payments for mental health conditions:

• Average SSDI Payments: As of 2025, the average monthly SSDI payment is around $1,300, but it can be higher or lower depending on your work history and lifetime earnings.
• Maximum SSDI Payments: The maximum SSDI payment in 2025 is approximately $3,600 per month, but this amount is reserved for those who earned the highest wages during their working years.
• Calculating Your SSDI Payment: The SSA calculates your payment based on your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) from your highest-earning years. Your SSDI benefit will be a percentage of that amount, capped by the program's maximum.

If you have a qualifying mental health condition, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression, and you have worked long enough and paid enough into Social Security, you may qualify for SSDI benefits.

2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is a need-based program that provides financial assistance to individuals with limited income and resources, regardless of their work history. If you have a mental health disability but have not worked enough to qualify for SSDI, you may be eligible for SSI. Here's what to know about SSI payments:

• SSI Payment Amounts: In 2025, the federal SSI payment is $914 per month for an individual and $1,371 per month for a couple. However, states can offer additional payments on top of the federal amount, which can vary depending on where you live.
• Income and Resources Limitations: To qualify for SSI, your income must be below a certain threshold, and you must have limited resources (less than $2,000 in assets for an individual or $3,000 for a couple). The SSA will assess your financial situation to determine eligibility and payment amounts.

3. How Your Mental Health Condition Affects Payments

For both SSDI and SSI, your mental health condition must meet the SSA's definition of disability. This means your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from working and earning a substantial income for at least 12 months or be expected to result in death. Mental health conditions like severe anxiety, PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are often qualifying conditions, but you will need detailed medical documentation to support your claim.

Other Factors That May Impact Your Disability Payments

• Work History: For SSDI, your past earnings play a significant role in determining your monthly benefits.
• Additional Income: If you receive other sources of income, like unemployment benefits or a pension, it may reduce your SSI benefits, but it does not impact SSDI.
• Living Arrangements: For SSI, your living arrangements can affect your payment amount. For example, if you live in someone else’s home and don’t pay rent, your payment could be reduced.