Pennsylvania's Own Disability Programs
Pennsylvania runs several disability programs separate from federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The largest is Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is federal but administered by Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services. Pennsylvania also operates General information, a state-funded program for people with disabilities who do not meet SSDI rules, and Medicaid for Working People with Disabilities, which lets you keep more income and assets than standard Medicaid allows.
These programs exist because federal SSDI has strict rules: you must have worked long enough, paid enough in payroll taxes, and have a condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Many people with disabilities fall outside those boundaries—they may not have worked, may have worked too recently, or may have a condition that does not meet the federal definition. Pennsylvania's programs fill some of those gaps, though each has its own income and asset limits.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania administers SSI (a federal program) and also runs General information, a state program for people with disabilities who do not meet SSDI rules.
- General information pays a monthly benefit but has strict income and asset limits—currently $50 per month in unearned income and $2,000 in countable resources for a single person.
- Medicaid for Working People with Disabilities (MWPD) lets you earn more income and keep more assets than regular Medicaid while staying covered.
- Pennsylvania's programs use their own medical standards, which may differ from the federal SSDI standard, so you can be denied SSDI but still be found disabled under state rules.
- You explore for state programs through your county information office, not through Social Security.
General information: Pennsylvania's State Disability Program
General information is Pennsylvania's main state-run program for people with disabilities. It provides a monthly cash benefit to people who are disabled, blind, or aged 65 and older, and who do not meet SSDI rules or are waiting for an SSDI decision. The benefit amount varies by county but is typically between $200 and $300 per month.
To be found disabled under General information, you must have a condition that prevents you from working. Pennsylvania uses its own medical standards, which sometimes differ from the federal SSDI standard. This means you could be denied SSDI but still be found disabled under General information rules. However, General information has very tight income and asset limits: you can have no more than $50 per month in unearned income (such as a pension or part-time work) and no more than $2,000 in countable resources (cash, bank accounts, stocks—but not your home or one car).
You explore through your county information office, not Social Security. Processing typically takes 30 to 45 days. If you are denied, you can request a hearing before a county hearing officer. Many people use General information as a bridge while waiting for an SSDI decision, since SSDI can take several months or years.
Medicaid for Working People with Disabilities
Medicaid for Working People with Disabilities (MWPD) is a Pennsylvania program that lets you work and earn more income than regular Medicaid allows while keeping health coverage. It is designed for people who are already on SSDI or SSI, or who have been found disabled under state rules, and who want to return to work without losing Medicaid when ready.
Under regular Medicaid, your income limit is very low—around $1,000 per month for a single person. Under MWPD, you can earn significantly more and still stay covered. The exact income limit depends on your situation, but it is much higher than standard Medicaid. You also get to keep more in assets. MWPD is particularly useful if you are on SSDI and your work earnings are approaching the point where you would lose your SSDI cash benefit, because you can stay on Medicaid even after SSDI stops.
To be found disabled under MWPD, you must meet the same medical standard as SSDI or be already receiving SSDI or SSI. You explore through your county information office. There is no waiting period once you are found disabled—you can start working and enroll in MWPD at the same time.
How Pennsylvania's Standards Differ from Federal SSDI
Pennsylvania's disability programs use the same medical evidence as SSDI—your doctor's records, test results, and functional limitations—but the state can weigh that evidence differently. For example, Pennsylvania may find that a condition prevents you from working even if the Social Security Administration (SSA) concludes you could do some type of work. This happens most often with mental health conditions, chronic pain, and conditions that cause unpredictable symptoms.
The difference matters because you can be denied SSDI but approved for General information or MWPD. If you have been denied SSDI, it is worth explore for state programs through your county information office. You will need the same medical records, but the decision-maker is different and may reach a different conclusion.
SSI: The Federal Program Pennsylvania Administers
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program run by Social Security, but Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services helps process applications and handles some appeals. SSI is for people who are disabled, blind, or aged 65 and older, and who have very low income and assets (under $2,000 for a single person). The federal benefit is the same everywhere, but Pennsylvania adds a small state supplement—currently around $50 to $100 per month depending on your living situation.
SSI uses the same medical standard as SSDI: your condition must prevent you from doing any substantial work and must last at least 12 months or result in death. The main difference is that SSI does not require you to have worked or paid payroll taxes. You explore through Social Security, not through Pennsylvania, but you can get help from your county information office.
Many people are on both SSDI and SSI at the same time. This happens when your SSDI benefit is very small (because you did not work long or earned low wages) and your income and assets are low enough to may have access to for SSI. Pennsylvania's state supplement then adds to your total monthly income.
how the process works for Pennsylvania's Disability Programs
Applications for General information and MWPD go through your county information office, not Social Security. You can find your office by searching "county information office" plus your county name, or by calling your county's human services department. You will need to bring proof of identity, proof of disability (medical records and doctor's statement), proof of income, and proof of assets (bank statements, pay stubs).
For SSI, you explore through Social Security at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Your county information office can help you gather documents and submit the process, but Social Security makes the decision. Processing for SSI typically takes 3 to 6 months.
If you are denied any program, you have the right to request a hearing. For General information, the hearing is before a county hearing officer. For SSI, the hearing is before an administrative law judge employed by Social Security. You can represent yourself or hire a lawyer. Many disability lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win.
Asset and Income Limits for Pennsylvania Programs
| Program | Monthly Income Limit | Asset Limit |
|---|---|---|
| General information | $50 in unearned income | $2,000 |
| SSI (federal) | Around $1,000 | $2,000 |
| MWPD | Varies; much higher than standard Medicaid | Higher than standard Medicaid |
These limits change yearly and vary slightly by county. Contact your county information office for current figures. Income includes wages, pensions, unemployment, and gifts. Assets include bank accounts, stocks, and vehicles over a certain value—but not your home or one car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be on both General information and SSDI at the same time?
No. If you are approved for SSDI, General information stops. However, you can be on SSDI and SSI together, and you can be on SSDI and MWPD together. General information is meant as a bridge program for people waiting for SSDI or who do not meet SSDI rules.
What if I am denied SSDI? Can I still get Pennsylvania's programs?
Yes. Pennsylvania's programs use different medical standards than SSDI, so you can be denied federal benefits but approved for General information or MWPD. explore through your county information office. You will need the same medical records, but a different decision-maker may reach a different conclusion.
How long does it take to get approved for General information?
Processing typically takes 30 to 45 days from the date you submit a complete process. If you are denied, you can request a hearing, which usually happens within 60 days. During the waiting period, you may be able to get emergency information if you have no income.
Do I have to work to be on MWPD?
No. MWPD is available to people who are disabled and on SSDI or SSI, whether or not they are working. It is designed to let you work without losing Medicaid, but you do not have to work to stay on the program.
What counts as an asset for General information?
Cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and vehicles over a certain value count as assets. Your home and one car do not count. Household goods, clothing, and personal items do not count. Gifts and inheritances count as assets once they are in your possession.