When you think of Maine, what comes to mind? If it’s lobster, there is a good reason for it! With about 4,500 active fishermen, the annual lobster haul is around 40 million pounds! That’s 90% of the nation’s lobster supply! But did you know Maine is also responsible for 99% of all the blueberries in the U.S.? And 90% of toothpicks. Also, Stephen King lives there. Which doesn’t have anything to do with toothpicks (or does it)? But if your current life circumstances are starting to resemble Misery or another horror novel, rest assured there is help. Residents have two options to apply for Maine disability benefits — we’ll explain how to get them below.
In a population of 1.3 million, about 217,000 Mainers report living with a disability. That’s about 16.3%, and more than the 12.6% national average. Plus, 32.4% of working-age Mainers with disabilities live at or below the federal poverty level (compared to 7.7% for non-disabled).
Still, with those numbers, only about 9.4% of Maine residents are receiving any disability benefits. In other words, many individuals who might qualify are missing out on financial help they could really use.
What are the options for Maine residents with disabilities who do need assistance? There are two federal programs Mainers can apply for through the Social Security Administration (SSA). They include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The former looks mostly at prior employment history, the latter at financial need. Both require applicants to meet the federal definition of disability. Here’s how to know where you might fit.
How Do I Qualify for Disability in Maine?
The two disability options available to Maine residents are federally funded. However, Maine Disability Determination Services (DDS) screens applicants in order to determine who is eligible to receive benefits. The good news is that individuals need only apply one time for consideration for both monthly benefit programs.
Qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI)
SSDI is the first federally funded program for which Mainers can apply. These benefits are people with disabilities who:
- Meet the SSA’s definition of disability.
- Are unable to work for 12+ months specifically because of your medical condition.
- Have worked in qualifying jobs where they paid Social Security taxes.
What that means is that anyone filing an SSDI claim must demonstrate they’ve worked about one-fourth of their adult lives. And they must also show recent employment, meaning five of the last 10 years. This program is specifically designed for adults aged 18-66 with long-term medical conditions that make them unable to work.
Once the SSA awards you SSDI benefits, you also qualify for Medicare coverage after 24 months. It’s one of the few ways you can access this health insurance program at any age, before you turn 65.
Finally, your children and spouse can also receive SSDI payments once the SSA awards you benefits. Learn more about how eligible dependents can get SSDI.
Qualifying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
Individuals without enough work credits may apply for SSI. The second of the two available Maine disability programs, SSI bases support on financial need. It provides monthly cash benefits to children and adults with disabilities. Currently there are about 32,343 Mainers receiving SSI benefits — most of whom are aged, blind, or mobility/mentally impaired.
The eligibility requirements for SSI also include a financial screening for all applicants. SSI program rules state you must have very limited income and few or no resources you can easily sell for cash. In 2026, that means you must have less than $2,019 total monthly income and less than $2,000 in assets. For couples with disabilities, that limit goes up to $3,000 in combined assets.
Once the Social Security Administration awards you SSI, you’re automatically enrolled in Maine Medicaid. Medicaid provides health insurance starting the same month your SSI payments begin.
What Other Programs Are Available for the Disabled in Maine?
The MaineCare program is a definite bonus for individuals who qualify for SSDI or SSI. It provides free or low-cost medical insurance to people with disabilities throughout the state.
There are also other state supplemental program (SSP) benefits available in Maine. These include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Programs like these help augment the SSDI or SSI benefits some people with disabilities may receive. However, they may require more applications and paperwork on your part. A Maine disability lawyer can help you understand all programs available to you. But we’ll get to that in a minute.
How Much Is a Typical Maine Disability Monthly Payment?
In 2026, the maximum SSDI payment an individual on Maine disability can receive is $4,152. The average payment, however, is $1,630 per month. The amount is wholly determined by how much you earned from employment before becoming disabled.
Applicants who qualify for SSI can receive no more than $994 per month, or $1,491 as a couple. That is the federal benefit rate (FBR), which varies annually. The amount goes up or down depending on the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) each year.
This is another reason people applying for Maine disability should get a free attorney consultation.
How Long Will It Take to Get Maine Disability Benefits from the Social Security Administration?
The short answer here is, it’s going to take some time. Federal law requires a five-month waiting period before anyone can get payments after the SSA approves their disability claim. If you delay applying that long after you’ve stopped working, you can skip the waiting period. However, the longer you wait to file, the longer you’ll also wait for any funds.
Especially since getting from application to a disability determination can take months. Currently, the average case processing time in Maine is 468 days. That’s actually less than the national average of 459 days. And it can feel like forever when your financial situation is tough.
Furthermore, if you’re not successful on the first shot, you’ll wait even longer. On the positive side, 40% of Maine disability cases win after a hearing. However, the average wait for an appeals hearing before an Administrative Law Judge in Maine is 11 months. And there are only 10 of these judges working out of one office in Portland, ME.
Is There Any Way to Speed Things Up?
In dire situations, claimants may apply for the Compassionate Allowances program (CAL). This can help speed up Social Security disability claims for those with brain injuries, ALS, and rare or fatal disorders. But in all cases, getting through the disability application process is going to be just that — a process.
Pro Tip: Be sure to include recent medical evidence when you file. If you cannot afford copies of your full medical records, your legal team can pay your doctors for them without charging you. If you don’t have this level of documentation, then you’ll need to undergo a consultative exam.
How Do I Apply for Maine Disability?
If you’re still reading, chances are you think you’re eligible for Maine disability benefits and should apply. So, how exactly do you do that? Well, you have a few options.
You may begin the process to apply online through the SSA’s portal. First, gather all documentation on their Adult Disability Checklist and then enter it online. The SSA will send anyone who seemingly qualifies to Disability Determination Services in Maine for further processing.
There are also eight SSA field offices in Maine where you can file your initial claim in person. For the best results, contact your local office location to make an appointment and skip the long wait.
The final option? Get a lawyer to help you apply for free.
How to Get Free Expert Help That Triples Your Chances for Benefit Approval
All disability attorneys work on contingency. So, there are no legal fees unless you win. But if you’re in need, you want the best outcome possible. And a disability lawyer can help most people achieve that. An experienced lawyer can help you gather medical records and represent you at an appeals hearing if your initial decision isn’t favorable. In fact, individuals with a Social Security attorney are three-times more likely to ultimately receive benefits.
And at this point, don’t you deserve all the help you can get? It only seems fair.
Want free help qualifying for Social Security disability payments? Click the button below to start your free evaluation now and see if you may qualify:
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Social Security Office Locations in Maine
Maine SSA field offices are open Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm EST. You should call and make an appointment instead of showing up without one to apply for Maine disability benefits:
Auburn Social Security Office
600 Turner Street, Suite 5
Auburn, ME 04210
Phone: (833) 388-6432
Fax: (833) 950-3581
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Augusta Social Security Office
68 Sewall Street, Suite 209
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (866) 882-5422
Fax: (833) 950-3579
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Bangor Social Security Office
202 Harlow Street, Room 10307
Bangor, ME 04401
Phone: (877) 405-1448
Fax: (833) 902-3577
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Portland Social Security Office
400 Congress Street, Suite 250
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (877) 319-3076
Fax: (833) 950-3575
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Presque Isle Social Security Office
365 Main Street
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Phone: (866) 837-2719
Fax: (833) 950-3583
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Rockland Social Security Office
169 Camden Street
Rockland, ME 04841
Phone: (855) 269-9179
Fax: (833) 902-3585
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Saco Social Security Office
110 Main Street, Suite 1450
Saco, ME 04072
Phone: (877) 253-4715
Fax: (833) 950-3248
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Waterville Social Security Office
14 Colby Street
Waterville, ME 04901
Phone: (866) 931-9169
Fax: (833) 950-3258
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Fact Checking: The SSA field office addresses shown here were verified by contacting the Social Security Administration directly. We also personally called every phone number listed here to confirm they were in good working order on January 14, 2026.
Kimberly Dawn Neumann is a multi-published NYC-based magazine and book writer whose work has appeared in a wide variety of publications ranging from Forbes to Cosmopolitan. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maryland, College of Journalism. For more, visit: www.KDNeumann.com or Instagram @dancerscribe.
