Massachusetts Disability Benefits: How to Qualify

Anyone unable to work due to health problems in this state may apply for Massachusetts disability benefits. But which program should you file an application with first? And how many ways are there to get financial help in Massachusetts? We’ll explain everything you need to know below if your job is making you consider an early medical retirement.

Tips to Maximize Your Massachusetts Disability Payments

There are actually three different Massachusetts disability programs that provide monthly payments. However, you cannot get money from all three at the same time. So, read each section below to figure out which one best fits what you need before you apply. Most people should file their Massachusetts disability applications in the following order:

1. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
3. Massachusetts State Supplement Program (SSP)

We’ll explain why below.

How To Get Massachusetts Disability Benefits Through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Program

The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs a federal benefits program for those who cannot work for health reasons. It’s called SSDI, which stands for Social Security Disability Insurance. However, SSDI only covers long-term or permanent health issues, not temporary ones. Below, we’ll answer questions people most often ask about SSDI.

1. Who Should Apply for SSDI?

Here’s how to tell if you might qualify for SSDI before you apply:

• Have you paid Social Security payroll taxes while working 5 in the last 10 years? This is the first step towards getting Massachusetts disability payments funded through the SSDI program. Some people who normally don’t pay into Social Security include service workers (bar staff, waiters); union members (teachers, fire fighters) and federal employees. But why does the SSA ask about the last five years in your work history? It’s because SSDI is a federal disability insurance program. Once you stop paying into Social Security for 60 months in a row, then your coverage automatically lapses.
• Does a doctor expect your condition to last for at least 12 months or result in your death? The SSA automatically denies claims from people who can working again in less than a year. If you have a temporary injury or illness, then SSDI won’t award you benefits.
• Are you at least 18, but younger than 67 and not currently drawing any Social Security benefits? Once you turn 67, then SSDI payments automatically convert into regular Social Security.

If you answered “yes” to all three questions, apply for Massachusetts disability benefits through the SSDI program.

2. How Long Does It Usually Take to Get That First SSDI Payment?

Six months after you apply for SSDI is the soonest you can get your first Massachusetts disability check. The SSA says it takes them 3-5 months to review each SSDI application. Plus, federal law requires a five-month waiting period before the agency can pay benefits to anyone. Last year, SSDI claims in Massachusetts took 437 days to process, on average. That’s almost 15 months!

Unfortunately, many people make mistakes that get them turned down the first time they apply for benefits. The SSA can deny your claim just because you staple two pages together or write in the margins! If this happens, you’ll wait another 14 months to plead your case before an appeals judge. That’s why getting a lawyer to help you apply for free the first time is such a smart idea.

3. How Much Does SSDI Pay Each Month In Massachusetts Disability Benefits?

The highest monthly SSDI payment amount anyone can qualify for in 2026 is $4,152. However, most people awarded benefits get $1,630 each month, on average. The SSA uses your highest wages earned over a 35-year work history to find your monthly SSDI amount. Much like regular Social Security, that equals about 40% of your monthly work wages. If there’s a cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) increase, though, your monthly payments can go up.

4. Once Approved, Are Monthly SSDI Payments Permanent?

Unfortunately, no. The SSA checks up on your disability status every 3-7 years until you turn 67. After that, SSDI automatically turns into retirement benefits. But the amount you receive each month won’t change, and you don’t need to do any paperwork. This payment switch happens automatically, and you won’t miss a single bank deposit.

Bonus Tip: Pay your doctor for complete copies of your medical records to file along with your SSDI application. You need good, recent proof your health forced you to stop working for 12 months to qualify for SSDI!

How to Get Massachusetts Disability Benefits Through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program

Already turned 65, haven’t worked recently or long enough in jobs where you paid Social Security taxes? Then you might qualify for Massachusetts disability benefits through the SSI program. It’s a federal aid program that helps who are blind, disabled, or at least 65 years old and have very little income. But unlike SSDI, the SSI program looks at your financial status first, then your health or age. Read on to learn how the SSA screens SSI claims based on health, income and assets, plus monthly pay amounts.

1. Medical Exams for SSDI and SSI Are Identical

You must be blind or meet the SSA’s definition of “disabled” to qualify for SSI or SSDI. Your health issues must last at least one year for you to qualify for SSI if you’re younger than 65.

2. You Need Very Little Income and Must Own Almost Nothing To Get SSI

You cannot currently qualify for SSI if the total income from everyone in your home is higher than $2,019 every month. That includes any money you get from other sources, like earned interest, alimony, or child support. You must also own less than $2,000 in assets that you can easily sell for cash. Examples they’ll count towards your total asset limit include jewelry, stocks, bonds, your bank account, 401(k), or IRA funds.

However, the SSA leaves out certain things when counting up those assets, such as:

• Your home and the land it’s on, if you own it
• One vehicle used for daily travel needs
• Your wedding ring, furniture, clothing, and other critical items (bedding, towels, etc.)

Anything else you can sell for cash is an asset that counts toward your $2,000 maximum limit. The SSI asset limit for couples who apply is $3,000.

3. Max Monthly SSI Payments for Individuals is $994, or $1,491 for Couples

However, SSI payments can go up in years when the SSA approves a COLA increase to keep up with inflation.

If Approved for SSI, You Also Qualify for Massachusetts State Supplement Program (SSP) Benefits

Once the SSA awards you SSI benefits, you can also get or Massachusetts disability payments from the state’s SSP program. However, you’ll still need to apply for SSP benefits through the state’s website. Here’s how much the Massachusetts SSP program pays each month for 2023:

• $128.82 for each person aged 65 and up
• $149.74 for each blind person
• $114.39 for each disabled person

What About Temporary or Short-Term Massachusetts Disability Benefits?

Massachusetts does offer two programs that pay temporary, emergency cash benefits. However, they’re specifically to help parents of children under age 18 or people aged 65 and older:

• Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC). This program makes cash payments of at least $513 per month to parents who qualify. It also offers a yearly clothing allowance payment of $400.
• Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC). To qualify for EAEDC, you must be unable to work for at least 60 days. In addition, your monthly income must be below $1,500 when you apply. In 2023, EAEDC pays an average of $401 per month in Massachusetts disability for no more than 60 days.

How to Triple Your Chances of Benefit Approval for Free

Applying for Massachusetts disability benefits is hard enough without knowing whether you’ll qualify for payments. A local Social Security attorney charges $0 today to review your claim and file your application paperwork.

You’re also nearly 3x more likely to get benefits if an attorney helps you file. If the SSA doesn’t award you benefits, then you pay the lawyer $0 for helping you. And if you’re successful, then you owe just one small fee afterwards.

Want to speak for free with a local claims expert about your own situation? Click the button below to start your free online benefits quiz and see if you may qualify:

Get Your Free Benefits Evaluation

Social Security Office Locations in Massachusetts

Massachusetts SSA field offices are open Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm ET. You should call and make an appointment instead of showing up without one to apply for Massachusetts disability benefits:

Attleboro Social Security Office

106 Pleasant Street
Attleboro, MA 02703
Phone: (888) 655-6469
Fax: (833) 926-1854
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Boston Social Security Office

10 Causeway Street, Room 148
Boston, MA 02222
Phone: (866) 964-7311
Fax: (833) 515-0457
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Brockton Social Security Office

30 Christy Drive
Brockton, MA 02301
Phone: (888) 717-1524
Fax: (833) 902-2518
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Cambridge Social Security Office

10 Fawcett Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: (888) 527-9340
Fax: (833) 515-0461
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Dorchester Social Security Office

115 Freeport Street
Dorchester, MA 02122
Phone: (866) 931-2550
Fax: (833) 926-1845
TTY: (800) 325-0778

East Falmouth Social Security Office

48 Research Road (inside Technology Park)
East Falmouth, MA 02536
Phone: (855) 881-0212
Fax: (833) 950-3254
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Fall River Social Security Office

400 North Main Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: (866) 964-3967
Fax: (833) 902-2524
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Fitchburg Social Security Office

881 Main Street, 1st Floor
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Phone: (877) 319-0728
Fax: (833) 902-2520
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Framingham Social Security Office

One Clarks Hill Lane, Suite 101
Framingham, MA 01702
Phone: (844) 587-1390
Fax: (833) 926-1862
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Gardner Social Security Office

354 Main Street, Suite 2
Gardner, MA 01440
Phone: (844) 371-8116
Fax: (833) 436-4143
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Hanover Social Security Office

198 Columbia Road, Suite 1
Hanover, MA 02339
Phone: (877) 444-6898
Fax: (833) 950-3252
TTY: (781) 829-9297

Haverhill Social Security Office

62 Brown Street, Suite 401 
Haverhill, MA 01830
Phone: (866) 964-4324
Fax: (833) 926-1856
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Holyoke Social Security Office

200 High Street, 2nd Floor
Holyoke, MA 01040
Phone: (877) 480-4989
Fax: (833) 902-2526
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Hyannis Social Security Office

100 Independence Drive, Suite 100
Hyannis, MA 02601
Phone: (866) 467-0440
Fax: (833) 926-1864
TTY: (508) 926-1864

Lawrence Social Security Office

439 S. Union Street, Suite 106A
Lawrence, MA 01843
Phone: (877) 669-3127
Fax: (833) 902-2522
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Lowell Social Security Office

151 Warren Street, Suite 300
Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: (877) 746-9850
Fax: (833) 902-2510
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Lynn Social Security Office

140 Union Street
Lynn, MA 01901
Phone: (866) 366-7792
Fax: (833) 902-2508
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Malden Social Security Office

192 Commercial Street
Malden, MA 02148
Phone: (866) 596-8598
Fax: (833) 926-1839
TTY: (800) 325-0778

New Bedford Social Security Office

53 N. 6th Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: (866) 964-7413
Fax: (833) 902-2516
TTY: (800) 325-0778

North Adams Social Security Office

96 Marshall Street
North Adams, MA 01247
Phone: (877) 319-5709
Fax: (833) 950-3260
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Norwood Social Security Office

One Edgewater Drive, Suite 102
Norwood, MA 02062
Phone: (866) 563-9533
Fax: (833) 926-1860
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Pittsfield Social Security Office

78 Center Street
Federal Building, Suite 101
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: (866) 446-7111
Fax: (833) 902-2514
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Quincy Social Security Office

1515 Hancock Street, Suite 305
Quincy, MA 02169
Phone: (866) 593-4392
Fax: (833) 926-1843
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Roslindale Social Security Office

4238 Washington Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
Phone: (866) 331-9173
Fax: (833) 950-2342
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Roxbury Social Security Office

10 Malcolm X Boulevard 
Roxbury, MA 02119
Phone: (855) 278-4195
Fax: (833) 515-0463
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Salem Social Security Office

35 Congress Street, Suite 101
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (866) 248-2394
Fax: (833) 926-1841
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Springfield Social Security Office

70 Bond Street
Springfield, MA 01104
Phone: (866) 964-5061
Fax: (833) 515-0459
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Taunton Social Security Office

104 Dean St 
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: (877) 505-4546
Fax: (833) 950-2344
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Waltham Social Security Office

135 Beaver Street, Suite 120
Waltham, MA 02452
Phone: (800) 772-1213
Fax: (833) 873-4342
TTY: (800) 325-0778

Worcester Social Security Office

51 Myrtle Street (inside Madison Place Plaza)
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (866) 331-9069
Fax: (833) 902-2512
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 accurate on January 15, 2026.

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