How Much Does Disability Pay in NC?

Disability payments in North Carolina come from several sources, each with distinct eligibility and payment calculation methods. Understanding these programs is important for individuals seeking financial support due to a disabling condition. The amount of assistance an individual might receive depends on factors such as work history, income, resources, and the nature of their disability.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Payments

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that provides benefits to individuals who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. The amount of an SSDI payment is determined by a claimant’s average indexed monthly earnings (AIME), which reflects their lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security. This individualized calculation means higher earners generally receive higher benefits. To be eligible, individuals must accumulate “work credits” through employment, earned by working and paying Social Security taxes.

The maximum monthly SSDI benefit for a high earner in 2025 is $4,018. The average monthly benefit for a disabled worker in 2025 is estimated to be $1,580. This federal program operates uniformly across all states, including North Carolina. Residency in North Carolina does not alter the method by which SSDI benefits are calculated or the payment amounts.

Several factors can influence the final SSDI payment amount. If an individual receives other government benefits, such as workers’ compensation, their SSDI payment may be reduced to prevent an excessive combined benefit. SSDI can also provide auxiliary benefits for certain family members, including a spouse or dependent children. The total amount a disabled worker and their family can receive typically ranges from 150% to 180% of the disabled worker’s primary benefit.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based federal program that provides financial assistance to aged, blind, and disabled individuals with limited income and resources. Unlike SSDI, SSI eligibility is not based on prior work history or Social Security tax contributions. The program provides a basic federal benefit rate (FBR) to eligible individuals.

For 2025, the maximum federal SSI payment is $967 per month for an individual and $1,450 per month for an individual with an eligible spouse. North Carolina does not provide a general state supplement to the federal SSI payment for most recipients. However, some optional state supplementation may be available for individuals residing in specific adult care homes or assisted living facilities through the State/County Special Assistance program.

The actual SSI payment amount can be less than the maximum federal rate, as it is reduced by “countable income.” Both earned and unearned income are considered; the more countable income an individual has, the lower their SSI benefit will be. The value of “in-kind support and maintenance,” such as free room and board, can also reduce the monthly payment. To qualify for SSI, an individual’s countable resources, which include assets like bank accounts, generally cannot exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.

Workers’ Compensation and Private Disability Insurance

Workers’ Compensation is a state-governed program providing benefits to employees who sustain injuries or illnesses arising out of and in the course of their employment. In North Carolina, weekly temporary disability benefits are typically calculated at two-thirds (66.66%) of the injured worker’s average weekly wage (AWW). The AWW is generally determined by reviewing the worker’s earnings over the 52 weeks preceding the injury. This calculated benefit is subject to a state-defined maximum weekly amount, which is adjusted annually. For injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2025, the maximum weekly compensation rate in North Carolina is $1,380.00.

Workers’ compensation provides various types of disability benefits, including temporary total disability (TTD) for complete inability to work, and temporary partial disability (TPD) for reduced earning capacity. For TPD, the payment amount is two-thirds of the difference between the worker’s pre-injury average weekly wage and their post-injury earnings. These regulations ensure compensation for lost wages due to work-related incidents.

Private disability insurance offers another pathway for income replacement during periods of disability, separate from government programs. These policies are purchased by individuals or provided as an employer benefit. The payment amount is determined by the policy’s specific terms and conditions, typically involving a percentage of the insured’s pre-disability income or a fixed monthly amount. Policies can be short-term, offering benefits for a limited duration, or long-term, providing payments for an extended period, potentially until retirement age. The terms of these private contracts, not state laws, dictate the benefit amounts and duration.