What disability benefits Washington State offers

Washington State has two main disability benefit programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is federal, and Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) programs, which are state-run. SSDI is the larger program and available to anyone who has worked and paid Social Security taxes, regardless of where they live. Washington State also runs its own programs for people who don't meet SSDI requirements or who need additional support while waiting for a federal decision.

The state programs include Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is actually federal but administered by Washington State, and state-funded programs like Community Options Program Entry System (COPES) and Medicaid for people with disabilities. Which program you might look into depends on your work history, your current income and assets, and what kind of support you need.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI is a federal program available to Washington residents who have worked and paid into Social Security, regardless of current income or assets.
  • SSI is a federal program administered by Washington State that pays cash benefits to people with disabilities who have little or no income or assets.
  • Washington State Medicaid covers medical care for people with disabilities and is often available at the same time as cash benefits.
  • COPES and other state programs provide long-term care support, including in-home services, for people with disabilities who meet income limits.
  • You can pursue SSDI and state programs at the same time; they are not mutually exclusive.

SSDI: The federal program for people with work history

Social Security Disability Insurance is run by the federal government and is the same in Washington State as everywhere else. To be considered, you must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned enough Social Security credits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) looks at your medical records to decide whether your condition prevents you from working at a substantial level.

SSDI does not have income or asset limits—you can have savings, own a home, or be married to someone who works. What matters is your work history and your medical condition. If you are approved, your monthly payment is based on your own earnings record, not on how much money you have now.

You can start the SSDI process at any Social Security office in Washington State, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or online at ssa.gov. The decision process typically takes three to six months, though some cases take longer.

SSI: The federal program for people with low income

Supplemental Security Income is federal money but Washington State handles the applications and payments. SSI is for people with disabilities who have very little income or assets. Unlike SSDI, there is no work history requirement—you do not have to have worked at all.

SSI has strict limits on how much money you can have. As of 2024, you can own no more than $2,000 in countable assets (some things, like your home and one vehicle, do not count). Your monthly income limit is also low—the exact amount changes yearly. If you receive SSI, you also automatically receive Washington State Medicaid, which covers doctor visits, hospital care, and prescriptions.

You can explore for SSI at your local Social Security office or online at ssa.gov. Washington State's Division of Aging, Adults and Behavioral Health Services can also answer questions about SSI and help you understand whether you might be may be able to access.

Washington State Medicaid for people with disabilities

Washington State Medicaid covers medical care for people with disabilities. You do not have to receive cash benefits (SSDI or SSI) to get Medicaid—you can have Medicaid alone. The income and asset limits for Medicaid are higher than for SSI, which means some people who do not meet SSI limits can still get Medicaid.

Medicaid in Washington covers doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, mental health care, and therapy. If you have a disability, you may also be able to get coverage for equipment like wheelchairs or hearing aids, depending on what your condition requires.

You can explore for Washington State Medicaid through the Health Care Authority (HCA) online at wahealthplanfinder.org or by calling 1-855-923-4633. You can also explore at your local community health center or through your county's social services office.

COPES and other state long-term care programs

Community Options Program Entry System (COPES) is a Washington State program that pays for long-term care services for people with disabilities. COPES covers things like in-home care, adult day programs, respite care (temporary relief for family caregivers), and residential support. It is designed for people who would otherwise need to live in a nursing home or residential facility.

COPES has income and asset limits, though they are higher than SSI limits. You must also have a disability that requires ongoing support. The program is administered by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and local Area Agencies on Aging.

Washington State also runs other programs like Residential Habilitation Centers for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and Medicaid Waiver programs that fund community-based services. Each program has different rules about who can use it and what services it covers.

How to start the process in Washington State

If you think you may be may be able to access for disability benefits, start by contacting Social Security directly for SSDI or SSI. You can visit any Social Security office in Washington—there are offices in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Vancouver, and many other cities. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 or go to ssa.gov to start online.

For state programs like COPES or Medicaid, contact the Department of Social and Health Services at 1-877-501-2233 or visit dshs.wa.gov. You can also reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging, which can tell you which programs you might be able to use and help you understand the next steps.

You do not have to choose one program. Many people receive SSDI and Medicaid together, or SSI and COPES together. The programs work alongside each other, and you can pursue more than one at the same time.

What happens while you wait for a decision

SSDI decisions usually take three to six months, but some cases take longer, especially if the Social Security Administration needs more medical records. While you wait, you can still work part-time and earn some money without losing your place in line. There are also work incentives built into SSDI that let you test your ability to work without losing benefits when ready.

If you are denied SSDI, you can ask for reconsideration or file an appeal. Many people are denied the first time and approved on appeal. You can also explore for SSI or state programs while your SSDI appeal is pending—these decisions are separate, and approval for one does not affect the other.

If you need when ready financial help while waiting, ask your local DSHS office about emergency information or other short-term programs. Washington State also has food information (SNAP) and other support programs that do not require you to be disabled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get both SSDI and SSI at the same time?

No, you cannot receive both cash payments at once. However, if you are approved for SSDI but the payment is very small, you may be able to receive a small SSI payment to bring your total up to the SSI minimum. This is called "deemed" SSI. You can also receive SSDI or SSI and still get Medicaid and other state services.

Do I have to have worked to get disability benefits in Washington?

No. SSDI requires work history, but SSI does not. If you have never worked or did not work long enough for SSDI, you can still explore for SSI, Medicaid, and state programs like COPES. Each program has different rules about work history.

What medical conditions count as disabilities?

Social Security looks at whether your condition prevents you from working at a substantial level, not at the name of the condition itself. The same diagnosis might be approved for one person and denied for another, depending on how it affects their ability to work. Your medical records and what doctors say about your limitations matter more than the diagnosis alone.

How long does it take to get approved for Washington State programs?

SSDI and SSI decisions usually take three to six months. State programs like COPES can take longer because there is often a waiting list. Medicaid decisions are usually faster, sometimes within a few weeks. Contact the program directly to ask about current wait times in your area.

What if I live in a rural part of Washington State?

You can explore for all federal and state programs by phone or mail, even if there is no office near you. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or DSHS at 1-877-501-2233. Your local Area Agency on Aging can also help you understand programs and answer questions about services available where you live.