Your Guide to Getting Mississippi Disability Benefits

Important: We fact-checked updated this article in May 2024 using the most current Social Security Administration (SSA) policy data. Are you wondering whether the Magnolia State offers monthly Mississippi disability benefits? The good news is that, yes, this is an option for Mississippi residents who cannot work for health reasons. After all, paying your bills can be a challenge when you’re out of work for very long. That adds even more stress and strain to the emotional and physical burden disabled individuals often feel.

Thankfully, Mississippi residents have two ways to pay their bills if they cannot work due to a medical condition. Two federal disability programs run by the Social Security Administration (SSA) may be able to help you ease your worries:

1. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The disability application process is similar, since both programs use the same medical criteria. The only real difference is how they review disability claims for basic eligibility requirements that don’t involve your health. That’s because one disability program looks at your income and finances, while the other has a minimum work history requirement.

We compiled all the information you need into one helpful Mississippi disability benefits guide.

Option #1 for Mississippi Disability Benefits: The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Program

The federal government funds this disability benefit program through deductions from some employees’ paychecks. Without enough Social Security work credits, you cannot qualify for SSDI payments. So, how many do you need? For most applicants, it’s at least 40 work credits (assuming you’re 30 years old or older when you apply).

1. Who Can Potentially Qualify for SSDI Benefits?

Mississippi residents must answer “yes” to all these questions before they start the application process for SSDI benefits:

• Are you younger than 67 but not receiving benefits from Social Security yet? SSDI benefits are only available to people not currently receiving other Social Security benefits. These include things like early retirement, regular Social Security, or dependent benefits.
• Did you work for at least 5 in the last 10 years while paying Social Security payroll taxes? Disability Determination Services (DDS) automatically denies Social Security disability claims without enough work history.
• Do you see a doctor regularly to treat your medical condition? If not, you can get a Disability Determination Services exam to confirm you cannot perform substantial gainful activity. The Social Security Administration defines SGA as the ability to support yourself financially by working. Good news: A Mississippi disability attorney can pay for doctor visits and medical records requests if you cannot afford them.
• Does your healthcare provider expect your condition to keep you out of work for at least 12 months? You cannot get Social Security disability benefits for short-term or temporary health problems, like surgery or pregnancy.

Good news: Even if some of your answers above say “no,” the SSI program could still pay you Mississippi disability benefits.

2. How Much Is a Typical Social Security Disability Insurance Monthly Payment?

Your Mississippi disability benefits amount depends 100% on how much money you earned each month before you stopped working. First, Social Security estimates your average monthly job income over 35 years of work history. Then they set your monthly benefit payment for SSDI at approximately 40% of that amount.

The national average monthly benefit for SSDI in 2024 is $1,537 a month. However, the highest SSDI payment amount anyone can get is $3,822. Understand that almost no one gets paid that much in Mississippi disability benefits.

Good news: Your payments could go up if Congress OKs a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

3. How Long Does It Take to Get Your First SSDI Payment?

The usual wait time to review your application is about 5 months. You should receive your first SSDI payment the month after your award letter arrives in the mail. So, about 6 months from the date you file your SSDI application is the soonest you can realistically expect a payment.

Bad news: About 80% of SSDI applications fail the first time.

Good news: Working with an attorney makes you three times more likely to succeed — and you only pay if you receive Mississippi disability benefits.

There are two ways to appeal if you’re denied. First, you can request a reconsideration within 60 days of your rejection. This process can take up to 3.5 months. Second, if the reconsideration isn’t successful, you can ask for an appeal hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge. It can take years to complete this level of appeal, though.

Bad news: Only 8% of appeals are successful. And even if you win, you might have to wait almost 2 years for the first payment.

Good news: Hiring a Mississippi disability lawyer increases your chances of a successful appeal. You only pay legal fees if you win.

4. Will SSDI Payments Last for the Rest of My Life?

The SSDI program pays Mississippi disability benefits as long as you can pass required updates every 3-7 years. When you turn 67 years old, the SSA office automatically changes your payments over to Social Security retirement. Your monthly amount stays the same.

5. Does the SSDI Program Offer Health Insurance?

Yes, you will automatically qualify for Medicare coverage 24 months after the SSDI program awards you Mississippi disability benefits.

Option #2 for Mississippi Disability Benefits: The Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program

SSI benefits help Americans who are blind, disabled, or at least 65 who meet the program’s income and asset eligibility requirements. Here’s what residents of the Natural State need to know about the SSA criteria for receiving SSI payments.

1. What Age Do I Need to Be to Qualify for SSI?

Hospitality State residents at least 65 years old are eligible to apply for SSI. Younger Mississippians must get a Disability Determination Services (DDS) consultative examination to confirm they qualify. But don’t worry! Your DDS medical exam is always free.

2. What Are the SSI Asset and Income Rules for Mississippi Disability Benefits?

Residents from Biloxi to Oxford filing an SSI application for disability benefits in MS should:

• Have monthly income below $2,590 if you’re blind and $1,550 if you have another disabling health issue. Alimony, child support, SNAP earned interest, TANF, etc., all count as income for this limit.
• Own total assets under $2,000 (or $3,000 if you’re filing as a married couple). Cash in your bank accounts and items you can sell, like stocks, bonds, jewelry, etc., count toward this limit. The car and home that you own, daily living items, and wedding rings are exempt.   

3. How Much Does SSI Pay in Mississippi Disability Benefits?

Approved individuals can receive a federal SSI payment worth up to $943. Couples can get no more than $1415 every month. These pay amounts can go up when Congress approves a COLA, which happens nearly every year in October.

4. Are SSI Payments for Life?

If you’re older than 65, you’re eligible as long as you meet the financial requirements. If you’re younger, payments can continue until age 65 provided you pass a disability update every 3-7 years. So in theory, yes, you can receive disability benefits from SSI for life.

5. Does SSI Pay for Doctor’s Visits, Too?

When an SSA office awards you SSI, it also includes Medicaid coverage starting the same month your payments begin.

What’s the Best Way to Apply for Mississippi Disability Benefits?

We think it’s best to file with professional help, which makes benefit approval three times more likely within 6 months. An attorney can help you file for free, and you’ll only pay a fee if your claim is successful. However, if you prefer another method, here are the other options available to you:

1. Apply online at SSA.gov (but understand you can only do this for SSDI benefits, not SSI).
2. Over the phone by calling the Social Security Administration directly: 1-800-772-1213. Live agents accept calls from 8am to 7pm Monday through Friday to help disabled individuals apply for SSDI or SSI.
3. In person at your local SSA office location. To make your visit as short as possible, call ahead and make an appointment before you go. Plan to spend at least 4-5 hours there filling out paperwork.

Bonus Tip: See our checklist of documents to gather before you start the SSD application process.

Talk to a Disability Lawyer to Learn Whether You’re Eligible for SSDI or SSI for Free Before You Apply

Good news: Our network of Social Security lawyers charge $0 if they cannot help you get Mississippi disability benefits. And if your application succeeds, then you only pay one small fee that comes out of your retroactive benefits.

This website has connected one million people with disability advocates nationwide for free SSD consultations since 2012. It all starts with just one free phone call, and once that’s over, you aren’t required to do anything else.

Why wait? Click below to start your free online claim evaluation and see if you may qualify for free expert help today:

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