How Much Are Disability Benefits in Wisconsin?
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 live in Wisconsin and can’t work due to an injury or illness, you might be among the more than 170,000 Wisconsinites who qualify for Social Security benefits. For many people, a monthly check from the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be life-changing. But how much can you expect to receive?
The SSA has different methods for calculating your disability benefits, depending on which federal program you qualify for and other factors. We’ll walk you through these methods so you know what to expect.
How much does disability pay in Wisconsin?
On average, the SSA issues $1,742.49 every month to Wisconsin residents who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients average $613.05 per month.
How do I calculate how much disability I will receive?
The payment amount you can receive for disability benefits in Wisconsin depends on the program you qualify for. Your earnings history, income, and assets help determine your exact payment amount.
Both SSDI and SSI offer benefits payments and healthcare coverage, but the qualifications and payment amounts differ. In 2024, the maximum amount you can receive for SSDI is $3,822 per month, and $943 per month for SSI.
The easiest way to verify your eligibility and determine your estimated Social Security benefits amount is to create an SSA account on SSA.gov.
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 is SSDI calculated?
In brief, the amount of money you pay into Social Security taxes during your working years determines how much you can receive in benefits. But the SSA uses a formula to calculate your exact monthly payment amounts.
First, the SSA calculates your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) from your highest-earning years and adjusts this number for inflation. The SSA then uses your AIME to determine your primary insurance amount (PIA), separated into three segments. This step is where the math can get confusing — check out our complete guide on how the SSA calculates your monthly SSDI check.
How is SSI calculated?
The Social Security Administration calculates monthly SSI payments based on your need rather than your earnings history. The SSA will subtract your countable income — like cash and public benefits — from a federal benefit rate.
In 2024, the federal benefit rate is $943. If your countable income is less than the federal benefit rate, you can receive $943 monthly in SSI benefits. Check out this article for more information on how the SSA calculates SSI payments.
What does a disability lawyer cost in Wisconsin?
There are no upfront costs to working with a disability lawyer on your disability benefits application. Disability attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay them if the SSA approves your claim and you win benefits. Then you pay your lawyer 25% of your first benefits check, and the SSA caps this fee at $7,200.
A major reason for working with a disability lawyer is that it increases your chances of being approved. In fact, you are three times more likely to win benefits when you work with a lawyer.
A disability lawyer can help gather your medical records, complete the application paperwork, file for an appeal, and even represent you at a disability hearing. Call Atticus today to receive advice about your claim and even connect with a lawyer if you’d like — there are no upfront costs.
Get help applying for benefits
If you’re applying for disability benefits in Wisconsin, you don’t have to go through the process alone. Atticus can help.
After you take our two-minute quiz, a member of our team can offer personalized advice about your disability claim. If you’d like, they can connect you with a disability lawyer who can assist you at every stage of the application process.
Frequently asked questions about disability in Wisconsin
What qualifies you for disability in Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin?
It takes an average of 6.1 months to get an initial disability decision in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin?
The average SSDI payment in Wisconsin is $1,340.21 per month. The average SSI payment is $626.81 per month. 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 Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin have a state disability program?
No, Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin can apply for federal disability programs (SSDI and SSI). Read more about SSDI and SSI here.
Related resources:
Wisconsin Disability Benefits
SSA Offices in Wisconsin
How long has your condition made it hard to work?
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