How Mississippi SSDI and SSI Benefits Work

If you're a resident of Mississippi who is unable to work full-time for at least 12 months due to an illness or injury, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. Unlike most other states, Mississippi doesn't offer an additional supplement for low-income beneficiaries, making federal programs the primary source of assistance for disabled Mississippi residents.

How to Get Short-Term Disability in Mississippi

While some states provide short-term disability programs for conditions that improve within a year, the state of Mississippi doesn't cover disabilities that keep you out of work for a few weeks or months. And because Social Security doesn't offer "temporary" disability, you'll need to show that you have a chronic (ongoing) medical condition that can be expected to last for a year or more in order to qualify for benefits.

But if you have an employer-provided or individually purchased private short-term or long-term disability insurance policy, you may be able to recover a percentage of your wages without needing to show that you'll be out of work for a year. The exact amount of your monthly benefit and how long you can receive it depends on the specifics of your insurance policy. You can learn more in our article on understanding your long-term disability policy.

What Are the Requirements to Get Social Security Disability in Mississippi?

The two federal disability programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Eligibility for SSDI is based on your earnings history and how many "work credits" you've accumulated. For example, in 2024, you gain one work credit if you've earned $1,730 over three months. Once you've accumulated about 20 work credits over the last 10 years, you'll be considered "insured" and legally entitled to receive SSDI.

SSI doesn't have a work credits requirement, but you'll need to have less than $2,000 in total assets ($3,000 for couples) in order to qualify for the benefit. For most people, "total assets" means cash on hand, such as in a bank account. Important assets such as your home and the value of your primary vehicle aren't counted towards the SSI limit.

Applying for Disability Benefits in Mississippi

Because Social Security is a federal program, the application process is the same in every state. When you're ready to apply, you have several options to choose from.

• If you're applying for SSDI only, you can submit your entire application online. People who are applying for SSI (or both SSDI and SSI) can begin their application online, but a representative from Social Security will reach out to finish filing over the phone or in person.
• You can apply for both SSDI and SSI by calling 800-772-1213 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to speak with a Social Security representative. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the TTY number at 800-325-0778.
• Both SSDI and SSI applications can be completed in person at a Social Security field office. You can find the office closest to you by typing your ZIP code into the office locator tool.

There are around two dozen Social Security field offices in Mississippi. The offices are open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some offices require appointments to complete disability applications, so you can save yourself time by calling ahead.

Mississippi Disability Determination Services Evaluation

Once Social Security determines that you meet the basic eligibility requirements for SSI or SSDI, the agency will send your file to the Mississippi Disability Determination Services (DDS). A claims examiner at DDS will review your doctor's notes and decide whether you meet Social Security's medical definition of disability.

DDS is run by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. Contact information for the department is as follows:

You can also contact DDS by telephone at 800-443-1000, or use the online form provided on their website.

If the DDS claims examiner denies your application, you can appeal the denial, first by requesting reconsideration of your claim (asking another DDS examiner to review your file and decide that the initial denial was incorrect). If your claim is denied again after reconsideration, you can request a hearing with an administrative law judge.

Disability Appeals Hearings in Mississippi

Social Security's Office of Hearing Operations (OHO) is responsible for scheduling and conducting disability hearings. Mississippi has three hearing offices in the following locations:

Hattiesburg OHO
1901 Broadway Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39402

Telephone: 866-348-5831
Fax: 833-968-1658
eFile Fax: 877-372-8804

Jackson OHO
McCoy Federal Building, Suite 401
100 West Capitol Street
Jackson, MS 39269

Telephone: 888-385-8499
Fax: 833-604-0732
eFile Fax: 877-435-0330

Tupelo OHO
Suite 3A
1150 South Green Street
Tupelo, MS 38804

Telephone: 866-275-9405
Fax: 833-508-0572
eFile Fax: 877-470-5097

In fiscal year 2024, the average wait time from requesting a hearing to conducting a hearing in Mississippi is around seven to eight months. Judges in the Hattiesburg office issued favorable decisions (awarding disability benefits) in 41% of hearings, while judges in the Jackson office awarded benefits 44% of the time, and judges in the Tupelo office issued favorable decisions in 57% of cases.

How Much Are Disability Benefits in Mississippi?

Because Mississippi doesn't provide a state supplement for low-income disabled people, if you're awarded SSI benefits, you'll receive the federal benefit rate ($943 in 2024), minus any countable income you have (including in-kind income like free rent).

SSDI benefits are more complicated to calculate since they're based on your earnings record. The maximum you can receive in SSDI in 2024 is $3,822 per month, although the average SSDI paycheck is much less, at $1,537 per month. You can learn more about SSDI calculations in our article on how much SSDI pays.

Medicaid for Mississippi SSI Recipients

Mississippians who qualify for SSI automatically receive Medicaid. You don't need to file a separate application. If you have medical bills from up to three months before the month you applied for SSI, you can apply with the Mississippi Division of Medicaid to cover these expenses, provided that the agency finds that you're eligible during these months.

Disability Resources in Mississippi

Disability Rights Mississippi is the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) organization for the state of Mississippi. Created by Congress in the 1970s in response to concerns by disability rights activists over neglect in assisted living facilities, each state has a P&A tasked with overseeing and preventing abuse of disabled residents.

While Disability Rights Mississippi doesn't help with Social Security claims, the organization can assist you with many disability-related issues, such as discrimination at work or accessible housing. You can contact the office using the information below:

Disability Rights Mississippi
5 Old River Place
Suite 101
Jackson, MS 39202

Telephone: 601-968-0600 or 800-772-4057
Email: [email protected]

For help with your Social Security application, you may want to consider a consultation with an experienced disability attorney. If you're not sure where to start looking, check out our article on how to find a good disability lawyer or browse the free attorney directories on Lawyers.com or Avvo.com, two sites that are part of the Nolo family.