I get calls (and emails). People find the blog and get in touch with a question, which is terrific. The purpose of the blog is to help.

Every now and then someone gets in touch with this question: “I am already receiving disability benefits. I have developed an additional medical condition, and as a result I am more disabled now that I was before. How do I increase my monthly disability benefits to reflect my increased level of disability?” Short answer: you don’t.

For those disabled under Social Security’s rules, the monthly benefit (which Social Security calls the Primary Insurance Amount, or PIA), is determined by a formula based upon how much you have paid into the FICA system over the years. The monthly benefit is a little different for everybody, depending upon their contribution. The benefit amount has nothing to do with the level of your disability, so there are not additional disability benefits available if your condition worsens.