What disability programs are available to you in Maine

Maine offers several programs for people with disabilities, but they work differently depending on your age, work history, and income. The largest programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), both run by the federal government through your local Social Security office. Maine also runs its own programs: MaineCare (the state's Medicaid program), Maine's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver, and vocational rehabilitation through the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. Some people may have access to for more than one program at the same time.

The program that fits you depends on whether you worked before becoming disabled, how much income and savings you have, and what kind of support you need most. Someone who worked for ten years before disability will likely pursue SSDI. Someone who has never worked much and has very little savings may may have access to for SSI instead. Someone who needs help staying in their home rather than moving to a facility might look at the waiver program. This guide walks you through what each one does and how they connect.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI is for people with a work history; SSI is for people with very low income and savings, regardless of work history.
  • MaineCare covers medical care and some long-term services, and you may may have access to for it even if you do not may have access to for cash benefits.
  • Maine's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver helps people stay in their own homes instead of moving to nursing facilities, but has a waiting list.
  • The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services can help you return to work or learn new job skills if that is a goal.
  • Your local Social Security office in Maine can tell you which programs you might may have access to for based on your situation.

SSDI and SSI: The difference and how to tell which one applies to you

SSDI is based on your own work record or your parent's work record if you became disabled before age 22. You do not have to be poor to receive it — there is no income or savings limit. The amount you receive depends on how much you or your parent earned while working. To may have access to, you must have worked long enough and recently enough to have built up what Social Security calls "work credits." Most people need about 40 credits, earned over roughly ten years of work.

SSI is a needs-based program for people with very low income and savings. You can receive SSI whether or not you ever worked. In 2024, you can have no more than $2,000 in savings (or $3,000 if you are married) and your monthly income must be very low — the exact limit changes yearly. SSI also pays less per month than SSDI typically does. However, SSI recipients automatically may have access to for MaineCare, whereas SSDI recipients have to meet separate income rules to get MaineCare.

Some people receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time. This happens when your SSDI payment is very small — perhaps because you did not work long — but you still need help. Social Security will pay you SSDI first, then top you up with SSI to reach the minimum monthly amount.

MaineCare: Health coverage that works with other programs

MaineCare is Maine's Medicaid program and covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, mental health services, and long-term care. You can may have access to for MaineCare even if you do not may have access to for SSDI or SSI cash payments. The income and savings limits are higher than SSI's, so some people receive SSDI but not SSI, yet still may have access to for MaineCare.

If you receive SSI, you are automatically enrolled in MaineCare — you do not have to do anything extra. If you receive SSDI, you can explore for MaineCare separately through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. The process is free. MaineCare covers services that Medicare (which SSDI recipients get after two years) does not, such as dental care, vision care, and personal care attendants who help you with daily tasks at home.

Maine expanded MaineCare in 2020, which means more working-age adults with disabilities now may have access to. If you were turned down for MaineCare in the past, it is worth explore again.

Maine's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver: Staying in your home instead of a facility

The Home and Community-Based Services Waiver (sometimes called the "Waiver" or "HCBS Waiver") lets you receive long-term care services while living in your own home or apartment, rather than in a nursing home or residential facility. Services include personal care attendants, homemaker services, adult day programs, respite care (temporary relief for family caregivers), and help with transportation.

To may have access to, you must be may be able to access for MaineCare and need a level of care that would otherwise require a nursing home. The program has a waiting list in Maine, sometimes a long one. If you are interested, you can ask to be put on the list even before you need services — the list is not first-come, first-served; people are prioritized based on urgency and how long they have been waiting. Contact your local MaineCare office or the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to ask how to get on the list.

The Waiver is free to you if you may have access to. The state pays the providers. However, if you have income above a certain amount, you may have to contribute some of it toward the cost of services — this is called a "share of cost."

Bureau of Rehabilitation Services: Work and job training

The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) is part of Maine's Department of Labor. It helps people with disabilities return to work, learn new job skills, or find work for the first time. Services are free and include vocational counseling, job training, assistive technology, help paying for education or certification programs, and job placement support.

You do not have to be receiving SSDI or SSI to use BRS. You do have to have a disability that creates a barrier to work, and you have to want to work or explore whether work is possible for you. BRS can also help you understand how working will affect your SSDI or SSI benefits — this is important because earning money can change how much you receive.

To start, contact your local BRS office. There are offices in Bangor, Lewiston, Portland, and Caribou, and staff can also work with you by phone or video if you live far from an office.

How these programs work together

These programs are designed to overlap in some ways. For example, you might receive SSDI for cash income, MaineCare for health coverage, and services from BRS if you want to try working again. Or you might receive SSI (which includes automatic MaineCare), be on the Waiver waiting list for home care services, and use BRS to explore part-time work.

The tricky part is that earning money from work can reduce your SSDI or SSI payment, and can affect your MaineCare coverage. BRS and your Social Security office can both explain how work will change your benefits before you start, so you can make an informed choice. Many people find that working a little bit, even if it reduces benefits slightly, improves their financial situation overall.

How to start: Finding your local Social Security office and other resources

The easiest first step is to contact your local Social Security office. They can tell you which programs you might may have access to for based on your disability, work history, and income. Maine has Social Security offices in Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston, Portland, and Presque Isle. You can call the national Social Security number (1-800-772-1213) and ask to be connected to your local office, or you can visit ssa.gov to find your office's phone number and hours.

If you need help understanding your options or filling out forms, you can also contact a Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) counselor. These are free services run by disability organizations in Maine. Your Social Security office can refer you, or you can search online for "PABSS Maine" to find a counselor near you.

For questions about MaineCare, contact the Maine Department of Health and Human Services at 1-855-797-4357. For BRS, visit maine.gov/labor and search for "Bureau of Rehabilitation Services," or call your local office directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSDI and work at the same time?

Yes. SSDI has a "trial work period" that lets you earn up to a certain amount each month without losing benefits. After the trial work period ends, you can still work and receive reduced benefits, as long as your earnings stay below a limit set by Social Security. BRS can help you understand exactly how much you can earn.

How long does it take to get approved for SSDI or SSI?

Initial decisions usually take three to six months. If you are denied and appeal, the process can take much longer — sometimes a year or more. You can receive benefits back to the month you applied, even if approval takes a long time. Many people are denied the first time and approved on appeal, so do not give up if you receive a denial letter.

What if I move out of Maine?

SSDI and SSI follow you — you can receive them in any state. MaineCare does not; you will need to explore for Medicaid in your new state. If you are on the Waiver waiting list, you may lose your place if you move, so contact the Maine Department of Health and Human Services before you go.

Can I get help paying for rent or utilities while I wait for a decision?

Maine has emergency information programs, but they vary by county. Contact your local Department of Health and Human Services office or call 211 (a free helpline) to ask what programs are available where you live.

Do I have to use the same program for the rest of my life?

No. Your situation changes, and so can your benefits. You can move from SSI to SSDI if you work long enough to earn credits. You can leave the Waiver if you no longer need those services. You can stop using BRS if you find work and no longer need job training. Tell your Social Security office or MaineCare caseworker about any changes in your situation so they can adjust your benefits.