Montana Disability Benefits: Will You Qualify?

Important: We updated this article in June 2024 after fact checking against current Social Security Administration policy data. Montana holds half of Earth’s active geysers. Even more interesting is the fact that the Treasure State is home to more elk, deer, and antelope than people. It’s also where president Ulysses S. Grant established the first U.S. national park in 1872. But Montana residents with disabilities may be more worried about paying their bills than hiking or exploring Big Sky Country. Thankfully, there are two federal programs that offer monthly Montana disability benefits to applicants who are unable to work for at least one year.

The first program is called Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the second option for monthly payments. Since the Social Security Administration manages both, they use identical medical criteria when evaluating disabled individuals. However, they each have very different technical rules that determine whether you qualify for monthly payments.

We will explain how both programs work below so you can get the Montana disability benefits you need to pay your bills.

Your Guide to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits in Montana

SSDI is the first federal program the SSA manages that offers financial assistance to disabled Montanans. Check the rules below to determine whether you might qualify!

1. Who’s Eligible to Apply for SSDI?

Social Security taxes taken out of workers’ monthly paychecks fund the SSDI program as well as Medicare. Montanans who answer “yes” to every question below can apply:

• Have I seen a doctor to treat my medical condition during the past year? If not, a Disability Determination Services (DDS) exam can verify your health makes you unable to work. This exam is always free, but cannot happen at your own doctor’s office. Pro Tip: If you cannot afford to see a doctor, an attorney can pay for your visit and medical records.
• Does my doctor say my condition prevents me from gainful employment for at least 12 months in a row? SSDI cannot pay Montana disability benefits for temporary health issues, such as surgery or pregnancy. If you can go back to work in less than a year, the SSA will automatically reject your application.
• Am I not yet paid any other Social Security benefits? SSDI payments end when you reach full retirement age and turn into regular Social Security benefits. Your monthly pay amount stays the same, but your direct deposit goes through on a different day.
• Did I work for 5 in the last 10 years while also paying Social Security taxes? The SSA office will check your work history before looking at anything else when you file your claim. Approval cannot happen unless you already earned 40 Social Security work credits. If you can say yes to this “5 in 10 years working question,” then you currently meet the SSA work history requirement.

Not able to say “yes” to everything above? See if you may qualify for SSI benefits instead (see below).

2. How Much Money Does SSDI Pay After Approval?

The SSA uses your own past job income to calculate how much money you can receive in monthly SSDI benefits. First, they look at 35 years of your work history to find your highest earning years. Then, they take your average monthly income during those years and adjust that amount for current inflation.

On average, most people get 40% of that amount in SSDI benefits each month.

The highest payment available in 2024 is $3,822. However, most people in Montana receive closer to the national average of $1,537 each month. Of course, SSDI benefits can go up in years when Congress passes a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

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

Approval takes at least 5 months, with another 30 days before you receive your first Montana disability benefits check.

But if you are one of the 4 in 5 applicants denied the first time they apply, you can still appeal within 60 days:

1. File a request for reconsideration. This is the first step in your appeal process, and reconsideration can take several months to complete. You should know, however, that just 2% of people get approved at the reconsideration stage.
2. Request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This can take up to a year to schedule through the OHO office in Billings, Montana. At the hearing stage, just 8% of appeals result in benefit approval.

Only 10% of appeals are successful. And even then you may wait as long as 599 days before benefit approval. (Average processing time for initial claims takes about 7 months + 60 days to appeal + 329 days for appeals hearings.)

Pro Tip: Triple your approval chances by working with a Montana disability lawyer. You only pay legal fees if your claim is successful.

4. How Long Can I Receive SSDI Payments?

As long as you pass Montana disability updates every 3-7 years, you can receive SSDI until you turn 67. After that birthday, you start getting regular Social Security retirement in the same pay amount.

5. What Should I Do for Health Insurance?

Wait 24 months. On the 25th month after your Montana SSDI payments begin, you automatically qualify for Medicare coverage.

Guide to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Disability Benefits in Montana

SSI is for people with low incomes who are either disabled, blind, or at least 65 years old. Here’s what Montanans from White Fish to Wibaux need to know.

1. I’m Not Disabled. Can I Still Get SSI?

If you’re at least 65 years old, then you can qualify based on age alone if you meet the financial eligibility rules. Younger Montana residents, however, must pass a medical exam at the Disability Determination Services office in Helena, MT.

2. What Are the SSI Financial Eligibility Rules?

Residents of the Treasure State seeking SSI benefits must have:

• Total assets worth less than $2,000. (Couples must own less than $3,000 in combined resources.) This includes funds in bank accounts and items you can sell, like lottery tickets, stocks and bonds, etc. Your wedding ring, the house and vehicle you own, and other daily living items don’t count.
• Monthly income below $1,550 or $2,590 if you are blind. SNAP, TANF, child support, alimony, and job earnings by other household members all count towards that total. If you receive workers’ compensation or VA benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, those also count towards your total income.

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

SSI can pay no more than $943 for individuals and $1415 for couples. Much like SSDI, however, these amounts are subject to a COLA increase in certain years.

4. How Long Can I Get SSI Payments?

Younger than 65? Then you must pass a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) every 3-7 years until that birthday passes. If you’re over 65, benefits continue as long as you meet the financial requirements. If you’re younger than 65 and don’t pass, the SSA office will suspend your SSI income.

5. Can I Get Health Insurance Through SSI, Too?

Yes, once approved, SSI recipients automatically qualify for Medicaid coverage the same month their payments begin.

How to Apply for Montana Disability Benefits from the Social Security Administration

If you wish to apply for disability online, you can start your SSDI claim at SSA.gov. Unfortunately, the SSA provides no option to file for SSI online at this time.

Here are 3 other ways you can start the application process for Social Security disability benefits in Montana:

1. In person at your local SSA office. To avoid a long wait, we suggest you phone ahead and making an appointment before you go.
2. Over the phone. To do this, call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 8am to 7pm Eastern. Hearing impaired or deaf? Call the SSA at TTY 1-800-325-0778 instead for assistance with your Montana disability benefits claim.
3. Have an attorney help you apply for disability for free. This way can speed up the application process for you. It also triples your chances for approval within 6 months of your initial application date.

Get Free Expert Assistance Qualifying for Disability Benefits in Montana

A qualified Social Security attorney can tell you for free if you qualify for a monthly check before you start your paperwork. Think you can’t afford to work with an attorney who understands Montana disability law? All attorneys in our network take clients on a contingency basis.

That means you pay $0 for professional help filing your disability application until after your approval letter arrives. If you’re denied benefits, then you owe your lawyer $0. But if the SSA awards you Social Security disability benefits, then you only pay one small fee afterwards.

Applicants who file without legal help usually wait 2-3 years for their first benefits payment. They also must file multiple appeals and attend at least one hearing before an administrative law judge. If you cannot go up to 3 years with no income, a Montana disability lawyer is your best option.

Want to know if you may qualify before you start the application process? Click below to start your free online evaluation to find out:

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