Author: Andrea Miller
Reviewed By: Gene Altaffer

Assisted living expenses aren’t directly covered under disability insurance. However, Social Security Disability Insurance lets you use your benefits for any living expenses, including the cost of an assisted living facility. Private insurance companies typically don’t cover long-term care and don’t pay benefits after age 65.

How much do you receive for SSDI?

Individuals receive an average of about $1,718 per month for SSDI, based on awarded payments as of December 2023. In addition, if you qualify for SSDI, you also qualify for health benefits through Medicare. To be eligible, you must have enough qualifying work hours in your lifetime and have a disability that prevents you from working. The exact amount you’ll receive for SSDI depends on the number of work hours you have and the total earnings for those hours.

Do SSDI payments cover assisted living?

Most SSDI payments don’t cover 100% of assisted living costs. The average monthly award of $1,718 only represents about 36% of the average monthly assisted living cost of $4,774 as of 2023.

Many families combine SSDI payments with other strategies to pay for assisted living. For example, if your state has a Medicaid waiver program, qualifying individuals receive monthly payments toward assisted living. Other options include long-term care insurance, reverse mortgages, annuities, assets held in trust and state and local aid programs. Veterans also qualify for help with assisted living through the federal Aid and Attendance program.