Two Routes to Disability in Arkansas: Federal SSDI and State SSI

Arkansas offers two separate disability programs, and which one you pursue depends on your work history and income. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is federal and based on your own work record or your parent's work record if you became disabled before age 22. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is also federal but means-tested — it goes to people with little income or resources, regardless of work history. Both are administered by the Social Security Administration, not by the state of Arkansas, though Arkansas has its own Medicaid rules that affect what benefits you receive alongside them.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) makes the disability decision the same way for both programs: they determine whether your condition meets their medical criteria and whether it prevents you from working. The difference is who pays and what you must prove about your financial situation. If you have worked and paid Social Security taxes, SSDI is usually your first path. If you have little work history or very low income and resources, SSI may be your route — or you may may have access to for both.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI is based on your work record; SSI is based on your income and resources, and both are decided by the federal Social Security Administration, not by Arkansas.
  • You must file your claim with Social Security directly — either online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office in Arkansas.
  • The medical decision process takes three to six months on average, and you will need medical records, work history, and a list of your daily activities to support your claim.
  • If Social Security denies your claim, you have 60 days to file a written appeal called a Request for Reconsideration, and you can represent yourself or hire a disability advocate or attorney.
  • Arkansas Medicaid covers people on both SSDI and SSI, though the income and resource limits differ between the two programs.

SSDI: Filing Based on Your Work Record

To may have access to for SSDI, you must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned enough Social Security credits. Most people need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before they became disabled. One credit equals roughly $1,470 in earnings per quarter (this amount changes yearly), so you need about $5,880 in annual earnings to earn four credits per year. If you became disabled before age 31, the requirement is lower.

You do not need to be unable to work at all — Social Security's definition is that your condition prevents you from doing substantial work for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death. You must also have medical evidence of the condition. Social Security will review your medical records, any recent treatment, test results, and statements from your doctors. If you have not seen a doctor recently, you should do so before filing, because lack of current medical evidence is one of the most common reasons for denial.

File your SSDI claim online at ssa.gov/applyfordisability, by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or by visiting your local Social Security office. In Arkansas, there are Social Security offices in Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, and Hot Springs, among others. You can find the full list and hours at ssa.gov/locator. Bring or have ready your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records, and a list of all jobs you have held in the past 15 years.

SSI: Filing Based on Income and Resources

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with disabilities who have little income or resources. The federal resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple (these limits have not changed since 1989). Income limits vary but are roughly $943 per month for an individual in 2024. Your home and one vehicle do not count toward the resource limit, but cash, bank accounts, stocks, and most other assets do.

You do not need any work history to may have access to for SSI — only that you are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older, and that your income and resources fall below the limit. The medical standard for disability is the same as SSDI: your condition must prevent substantial work for at least 12 months or result in death. File SSI the same way you would file SSDI: online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. You will need to bring proof of your income (pay stubs, bank statements, proof of any benefits you receive), proof of your resources, and medical records.

If you are approved for SSI, you will also be enrolled in Arkansas Medicaid automatically. The federal SSI payment is $943 per month in 2024, but Arkansas does not add a state supplement, so you receive only the federal amount. Some people may have access to for both SSDI and SSI — this is called "concurrent" benefits — if their SSDI payment is very low.

What Medical Evidence You Need to Gather

Social Security will not take your word that you cannot work. You must have medical records from a doctor, psychiatrist, or other licensed medical professional who has examined you. The records should describe your condition, when it started, what treatment you have received, and how it affects your ability to work. If you have not seen a doctor in more than three months, Social Security may order a consultative examination (CE) at no cost to you, performed by a doctor they choose.

Gather records from every doctor, hospital, clinic, or mental health provider you have seen in the past three to five years. Include test results, imaging reports, medication lists, and any notes about your symptoms and limitations. If you see a doctor regularly, ask them to write a statement describing how your condition limits your ability to work — this is called a "treating source statement" and carries significant weight. If you cannot afford to see a doctor before filing, you can still file and let Social Security order the CE, but this delays the decision by several weeks.

You will also need to describe your typical day: when you wake, what activities you can and cannot do, whether you can sit, stand, or walk for long periods, whether you can concentrate, and whether you have pain or other symptoms that interrupt your activities. Social Security uses this information to assess your functional capacity — what you can actually do, not just what your diagnosis is.

The Timeline From Filing to Decision

After you file, Social Security sends your claim to the Disability information Services (DDS) office in Arkansas. This office employs disability examiners and medical consultants who review your medical evidence and work history. The average time from filing to an initial decision is three to six months, though some cases take longer if medical records are incomplete or if Social Security needs to order additional tests.

You will receive a notice in the mail telling you whether you have been approved or denied. If approved, you will receive information about your payment amount, when payments begin, and your Medicaid coverage. If denied, the notice will explain the reason — usually that your condition does not meet Social Security's medical criteria, or that you are still able to do substantial work. You then have 60 days from the date of the notice to file a written appeal.

While you wait for a decision, you can work and earn money without affecting your claim. Once you are approved, there are limits on how much you can earn before your benefits are reduced (called the "substantial gainful activity" limit), but during the waiting period, work does not hurt your case.

Appealing a Denial in Arkansas

If Social Security denies your claim, you have four levels of appeal. The first is called a Request for Reconsideration, filed within 60 days of the denial notice. You submit this in writing to your local Social Security office or online. A different examiner reviews your case and any new evidence you provide. This stage takes another two to four months.

If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is the most important appeal stage — about 60 percent of cases are approved at the hearing level. You can represent yourself, but many people hire a disability attorney or non-attorney representative. Attorneys typically charge a fee only if you win, capped at 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from when you became disabled). The hearing usually takes place within 60 to 90 days of your request, though wait times vary by office.

If the ALJ denies you, you can appeal to the Appeals Council in Washington, D.C., and then to federal court. These later stages are less common and usually require an attorney. Throughout all appeals, you can continue to work and your case remains open.

Arkansas Medicaid and Other Benefits

If you are approved for SSDI or SSI in Arkansas, you are automatically enrolled in Arkansas Medicaid. This covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and other medical services at no cost to you. You do not have to explore separately — Social Security notifies the Arkansas Department of Human Services, and your coverage begins the same month your benefits begin.

If you are on SSDI and your income rises above a certain level (because you return to work or receive other income), you may lose Medicaid. Arkansas has a "Medicaid Buy-In" program that allows people on SSDI to keep Medicaid even if they earn too much to receive cash benefits. This program is called the Arkansas Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities. You must meet the disability criteria and work at least 40 hours per month, and you pay a small monthly premium based on your income.

You may also be may be able to access for other programs: the Ticket to Work program, which helps you return to work without losing benefits; the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a work goal; and Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), which deducts certain disability-related costs from your earnings. Ask your local Social Security office about these programs when you file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while my disability claim is pending?

Yes. Working while your claim is being decided does not hurt your case. Once you are approved, you can earn up to a certain amount (called the substantial gainful activity limit, roughly $1,550 per month in 2024) without losing your SSDI benefits. SSI has a lower limit and counts income differently, so ask Social Security about your specific situation.

What if I do not have recent medical records?

You can still file. Social Security will order a consultative examination at no cost to you, performed by a doctor they select. This delays your decision by a few weeks, but it is a normal part of the process. If you have not seen a doctor in years, filing and letting Social Security order the exam is often faster than trying to schedule appointments on your own.

Do I need a lawyer to file for disability?

No. You can file and represent yourself at every stage. However, if your claim is denied and you appeal to a hearing, having a representative increases your chances of approval. Many disability attorneys and non-attorney representatives work on contingency, meaning they charge a fee only if you win, capped by law at 25 percent of your back pay.

How much will I receive in benefits?

SSDI payments are based on your work record and average earnings — the longer you worked and the more you earned, the higher your benefit. SSI is a flat federal amount (roughly $943 per month in 2024), with no state supplement in Arkansas. Social Security can estimate your SSDI benefit before you file if you create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount.

What happens if I am approved for both SSDI and SSI?

This is called "concurrent" benefits and happens when your SSDI payment is very low. Social Security pays your SSDI first, then SSI makes up the difference to bring you to the SSI federal rate. You receive Medicaid under both programs, though the rules for keeping coverage differ slightly.