Welcome to Disability Benefits Help, an organization committed to helping claimants across the United States receive approval for disability benefits.
Since applying for Social Security disability benefits can be a difficult process, a disability attorney or advocate may increase your chances of being awarded benefits by helping accurately and favorably complete the complex paperwork, ensuring that all deadlines are met, and providing you with representation at a hearing. After submitting our web form, you will receive a 100% FREE evaluation of your disability claim. Disability attorneys and advocates receive compensation if you are awarded back benefits. We have no affiliation with the Social Security Administration, the agency at which you can apply for Social Security disability at no cost.
If you’re a Mississippi resident who’s unable to work and earn an income due to a disabling condition, you may qualify for disability benefits in Mississippi. The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) offers benefits programs to ensure those who can’t work are still able to pay for basics like food and housing.
The following overview will explain the basics of disability requirements in MS. It will also provide a summary of the different types of programs available to you. It also touches on options that may be available through employers.
Filing for disability benefits in Mississippi can be a complex process. As you read, consider that you don’t have to approach this task alone. By hiring a disability attorney, you’ll have a legal professional on your side who can help you navigate the process with confidence.
Understanding The Definition Of Disability In Mississippi
The SSA defines a disability as a condition that prevents someone from participating in substantial gainful activity (SGA). Someone unable to participate in SGA is unable to earn a certain minimum amount of money every month. In 2024, SGA for non-blind individuals is $1,550 per month. For blind individuals, it’s $2,590.
To qualify as a disability according to the SGA, a condition must also be likely to either:
- Last for at least 12 months (if it hasn’t already lasted that long), or
- Result in death
A disability can be a physical or mental condition. Be aware that other programs may define a disability differently than the SSA does.
What Disabling Conditions Qualify In Mississippi?
The SSA’s Blue Book is a resource offering listings for the various conditions that may qualify someone for disability benefits. Currently, the Blue Book has listings for over 200 conditions.
Consult this resource to find out if there is a listing for yours. If it’s unclear whether your condition qualifies as a disability, keep in mind that it might fall under a more general listing in the Blue Book, instead of having its own listing.
Blue Book listings can also provide information about how to prove you qualify for benefits based on your specific disability. No matter what, you’ll need to provide medical evidence showing you have a condition that limits your working ability.
Depending on the types of disability benefits you’re seeking, you might also need to show that you’ve earned sufficient work credits. The next section of this overview will cover that topic in greater detail.
Types of Disability Benefits Available in Mississippi
As you learn how to qualify for disability in Mississippi, it’s important to understand the programs available to you. The SSA offers disability benefits in two forms:
Mississippi Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
A person may qualify for this form of disability benefits in Mississippi if they’ve worked and contributed to the Social Security system in the past. Additionally, along with showing they have a disability per the SSA’s criteria, they must also show they’ve earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI.
Someone who’s employed (or self-employed) and pays into Social Security earns a certain number of work credits every year they work. The amount of credits someone earns in a year is based on their income. The maximum amount of credits someone can earn in a year is four.
Someone must typically have earned at least 40 work credits to qualify for SSDI. They must have earned at least 20 of those credits in the 10 years before they became disabled. However, the SSA sometimes makes exceptions for applicants who, due to age, haven’t had the opportunity to gain much work experience.
Mississippi Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is an option to consider if you haven’t earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI. That’s because SSI is a strictly needs-based program. To qualify for SSI, someone must show the following:
- They have a disability according to the SSA’s definition, or they are over the age of 65
- They have minimal or no financial resources
- They have minimal or no income
Document how you spend any SSI funds if you qualify for this program. It’s of particular importance to document when you spend SSI funds on a child’s expenses.
State of Mississippi Disability Programs
The SSA isn’t the only potential source of disability benefits in Mississippi. Depending on the circumstances, you may qualify for other disability programs, like:
Short-Term Disability
Some states offer short-term disability benefits programs for conditions that last under a year and thus wouldn’t be covered by SSI or SSDI. Mississippi is not one of those states. However, employees of the State of Mississippi can take advantage of short-term benefits insurance offered through their employer. This simply isn’t an option available to all Mississippi residents.
Other employers may choose to offer this form of insurance. However, there’s no legal requirement that they do so in Mississippi.
Find A Disability Lawyer In Mississippi
Learning how to apply for disability in the State of Mississippi can be an overwhelming experience. It’s entirely normal if the process is somewhat intimidating.
Luckily, you don’t need to approach it alone. A Mississippi disability benefits lawyer can review your case, help you document your condition, submit an application on your behalf, and help with an appeal if necessary.
Those are just a few of the benefits of working with a lawyer right now. For more information about what a disability benefits attorney can do for you, take the Free Case Evaluation today.
How Much Disability Can You Receive in Mississippi?
How much is disability in Mississippi? Currently, the maximum amount someone can earn from SSI is $943 a month if they’re an individual applicant. For couples, the maximum benefit is $1,415. The maximum benefit currently available through SSDI is $3,822.
Many factors can influence how much disability pays. Our disability benefits calculator can provide you with a general idea of how much you might be eligible to receive. For more detailed information, strongly consider discussing your case with a lawyer.
