If you live in Ohio and can’t work because of a disabling condition, be aware that the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) offers disability benefits to help individuals like yourself pay for basics like food and shelter. If the SSA approves your application for benefits, you may receive monthly checks from the government until you’re able to resume working.
How much does disability pay in Ohio? There’s no universal answer to that question. The following guide on “How much does Ohio disability pay?” will help you better understand the factors that influence payment amounts.
How Much Disability Can You Earn in Ohio
How much does disability pay per month in Ohio? The maximum amount of money you can earn from disability in Ohio depends on several factors. One of them is simply the year that you receive benefits. The SSA adjusts maximum benefit amounts to align with changes in the cost of living, inflation, and other relevant factors.
Another is the type of disability benefits you apply for. You have two options from which to choose. Review the eligibility criteria with the SSA to determine which is right for you:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
In 2024, the maximum SSI benefit is $943 a month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple. For SSDI, the maximum monthly benefit in 2024 is $3,822 per month.
Average Monthly SSDI Payments in Ohio
You shouldn’t expect to receive the maximum when you apply for benefits. It’s likely you’ll receive less. In Ohio, the average SSDI payment is currently about $1,225.97 per month. This is slightly lower than the national average.
The SSA accounts for the average lifetime earnings of an applicant to determine how much they should receive in SSDI benefits. Thus, the payment for each individual applicant will vary depending on their work history.
SSI Payment Rates in Ohio
Currently, the average monthly SSI benefit in Ohio is about $636.07. This is a case in which Ohio disability pay is actually greater than the national average, though only by a slight margin. This might be due to such factors as the cost of living in Ohio as compared to other states.
Some states offer programs that allow individuals and couples to supplement the benefits they may receive from SSI. Although such programs are somewhat limited in Ohio, they are not completely non-existent. For example, the Residential State Supplementation program in Ohio is designed to help maximize the benefits for individuals who currently live in adult care facilities.
Research such options to determine if they can help you receive more benefits. A disability lawyer familiar with Ohio’s programs can also answer your questions about this topic.
Factors That Influence Disability Payment Amounts in Ohio
If you’re applying for SSDI, you need to show that you’ve earned sufficient “work credits” by working and paying into Social Security for a certain period. Every year you work, you can earn up to four work credits. You need at least 40 work credits (20 of which you earned in the 10 years immediately before becoming disabled) to qualify for SSDI, although the SSA makes exceptions based on age.
Your work history will influence how much you may receive in SSDI benefits. The more you’ve worked and contributed to Social Security, the more you may stand to receive.
SSI is different. Because it’s a needs-based program, applicants don’t have to show that they’ve earned a certain number of work credits to qualify for the program. They instead need to show that they have a legitimate disability and have limited income and resources. The SSA will account for these factors to determine how much SSI an applicant should receive. “Resources” in this context may include:
- Bank accounts
- Cash
- Land
- Insurance
- Anything else that could essentially be converted into cash if necessary
Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) & Taxes in Ohio
Again, the SSA will change benefit rates to reflect COLA. This is to ensure that the benefits someone receives continue to have the same value for them. For example, in Ohio, the COLA increase for SSI in 2025 is expected to be 2.5%. This means that anyone receiving SSI in Ohio now should expect their monthly benefits check to increase by 2.5% in the next year.
Fortunately, SSI benefits aren’t taxed at the federal level. Ohio also doesn’t tax SSI benefits. Nor does it tax SSDI.
How to Estimate Your Disability Benefits in Ohio
Our benefits calculator can help you get a general sense of how much you may receive. Using it is a good starting place to help you understand the financial impact disability benefits may have on your life.
For more information specific to your case, consider speaking with an Ohio disability lawyer. If you hire an attorney, their expertise could help you optimize your chances of receiving an approval from the SSA. Get started by taking the Free Case Evaluation today to speak with an Ohio disability attorney who may be able to help with your case.
