Mississippi Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability Insurance is a federal program that provides monthly benefit payments to disabled Mississippi residents. The exact amount of Social Security disability benefits awarded to a Mississippi resident are based on the applicant’s work history and previous wages.

SSDI benefits are payable to anyone with a sufficient work history who is unable to work due to a disability that will last at least 12 months or result in death.

Facts About Mississippi

With 34% of the population having some kind of disability, Mississippi has a slightly higher number of disabled individuals than the national average of 25.6%. Mississippi spends around $4.5 billion on disability-related healthcare expenditures annually. Mobility, cognition, and independent living top the disability charts in Mississippi, followed by hearing, vision, and self care.

Notably, Mississippi residents have a higher percentage than the national average in terms of issues with obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, and inactivity. The numbers of disabled Mississippi residents who are inactive, obese, and/or have high blood pressure are particularly high. Government programs like SSDI can defray the healthcare costs of these Mississippi residents.

How To Qualify for SSDI in Mississippi

Mississippi residents hoping to qualify for Social Security Disability will first need to be eligible on a non-medical basis. This means that their previous employment or self-employment created work credits that could be applied toward SSDI payments if needed. Generally speaking, an SSDI applicant needs 40 work credits, half of that earned in the past decade. However, it only takes earning $1,470 to get one work credit and you can only earn four per year anyway. Younger applicants may also be able to apply with fewer work credits.

If you have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI, you must then qualify on a medical basis by demonstrating that you have a disability that prevents you from working. Your SSDI application will be fast tracked if your disability is included on the Compassionate Allowances list of 242 different conditions such as rapidly accelerating cancers, degenerative diseases, and other conditions that could result in death. It may be necessary to hire a disability lawyer to win your claim.

How To Apply for SSDI in Mississippi

The easiest way to file for SSDI benefits is to apply online through the Social Security Administration website. You can also call 800-772-1213 or visit one of the two dozen Social Security Administration field offices sprinkled throughout Mississippi. Please note that these SSA field offices are not the same as the field offices for the Mississippi Department of Human Services, which administers other benefits such as TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

How To Appeal a Denial in Mississippi

If you applied for SSDI in Mississippi and your SSDI application was denied by Disability Determination Services (DDS), you can contest the decision with a reconsideration request. This allows you to furnish additional evidence.

If you are still unhappy with the decision, the next step is to take your case before an Administrative Law Judge. If that doesn’t work, you can request a review from the Appeals Council. The reconsideration process can take anywhere from 3 to 5 months.

Most denials occur because the SSA believes they do not have significant proof of a disability. Having as much documentation and evidence as possible when you first apply for SSDI can save you the hassle of appealing an SSDI denial. Be ready to present your case if you do need to go through disability adjudication.

More Mississippi Benefits

There are many benefits for Mississippi residents who require assistance. SSI or Supplemental Security Income is available for individuals who are blind, over the age of 65, and whose earnings are significantly below the poverty line with limited financial resources – no more than $2,000 in assets for an individual, and $3,000 for a couple.

The SSA will take a look to see if an SSDI applicant is also eligible for SSI benefits. In some cases, collecting both SSDI and SSI can increase their monthly benefit by almost $800. Additionally, SSI qualifies patients for Medicaid, while SSDI qualifies patients for Medicare two years after the disability onset date. In some instances, having both benefits makes sure there are no gaps in healthcare coverage.

Mississippi Medicaid is a health insurance program funded jointly by Mississippi and the federal government. Medicaid is often confused with Medicare, but while Medicare is a healthcare plan for seniors, Medicaid is a healthcare plan for low-income individuals who cannot afford health insurance.

For Mississippi residents who are out of work, Mississippi Unemployment benefits are provided through the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES). Unemployment benefits help recipients until they can find a new job. In most cases, residents collecting benefits need to prove they are actively looking for new employment.

Mississippi Social Security Offices

Mississippi Hearing and Appeal Offices

Mississippi is in Region 4 (Atlanta), which services Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.