What Massachusetts offers people with disabilities

Massachusetts runs several programs for people with disabilities, but they are separate from federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The main state program is Massachusetts Disability information (MDA), which provides cash payments and health coverage to people with disabilities who have low income and limited resources. There is also Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is federal but administered partly through the state, and MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program, which covers medical care.

Which program you may be able to use depends on your work history, your income, how much you own, and whether you have already been found disabled by Social Security. Someone who worked long enough might may have access to for SSDI instead. Someone who never worked much, or who is waiting for a Social Security decision, might use MDA or SSI. Many people use more than one program at the same time.

Key Takeaways

  • Massachusetts Disability information (MDA) is a state program separate from federal SSDI; it serves people with disabilities who have very low income and few resources, regardless of work history.
  • SSI is a federal program but Massachusetts processes applications and payments through the state; you can explore to both SSDI and SSI at the same time through Social Security.
  • MassHealth covers medical care for people with disabilities and is often available to those who receive MDA or SSI payments.
  • The state's Disability information Services office makes the medical decision about whether you are disabled; this decision is the same for SSDI, SSI, and MDA.
  • Income and resource limits are strict for MDA and SSI, and any earnings you report can reduce or end your payments.

Massachusetts Disability information (MDA) — the state program

MDA is a cash information program run by the Massachusetts Department of Transitional information (DTA). It pays a monthly amount to people with disabilities who have income below roughly $700 per month (the exact limit changes yearly) and resources under $2,000. You do not need a work history to may have access to for MDA, and you do not need to have applied to Social Security first, though many people do both.

To receive MDA, you must be found disabled by a medical review. Massachusetts uses the same disability standard as Social Security: your condition must prevent you from doing any substantial work for at least 12 months, or be expected to result in death. The state's Disability information Services office, which is part of Social Security, makes this medical decision. If you are already receiving SSDI or SSI, you are automatically considered disabled for MDA purposes.

MDA payments are lower than SSDI — the maximum monthly payment is set by the state and is less than the federal average. However, MDA can start sooner than SSDI, which can take many months to decide. You can receive both MDA and SSDI at the same time; if you do, your MDA payment is reduced by the amount of your SSDI check, so you do not receive the full MDA amount on top of SSDI.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — federal program, state-administered

SSI is a federal program for people who are aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled, and who have very low income and resources. In Massachusetts, you explore through the Social Security Administration, and payments are processed through the state. The federal SSI payment in 2024 is $943 per month for an individual, though Massachusetts adds a small state supplement that brings the total slightly higher.

SSI has the same income and resource limits as MDA — roughly $700 in monthly income and $2,000 in resources. Like MDA, SSI uses the same disability standard as SSDI. You can explore to both SSDI and SSI at the same time by contacting your local Social Security office or calling 1-800-772-1213. If you are found disabled but do not have enough work history for SSDI, you may receive SSI instead.

One key difference: SSI is federal, so the rules are the same in every state. MDA is state-only, so it exists only in Massachusetts. If you move out of state, your MDA ends, but your SSI continues if you remain may be able to access.

How the disability information process works

Whether you explore for SSDI, SSI, or MDA, the medical decision is made by the same office: Massachusetts Disability information Services (DDS), which is part of Social Security. DDS reviews your medical records, work history, and age to decide if you meet the definition of disabled.

The process usually takes 3 to 6 months. DDS may request medical records from your doctors, or may send you to a doctor they choose for an examination. If DDS denies your claim, you can request reconsideration, then a hearing before an administrative law judge. Many people are denied at first but approved after a hearing. This whole appeal process can take 1 to 2 years.

While you are waiting for a decision, you can receive MDA if you meet the income and resource limits. This way you have some income while Social Security makes its decision. If you are later approved for SSDI or SSI, your MDA payment is adjusted so you do not receive duplicate benefits.

MassHealth coverage for people with disabilities

MassHealth is Massachusetts' Medicaid program and covers medical care — doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, mental health services, and more. If you receive MDA or SSI, you are usually enrolled in MassHealth automatically. If you receive SSDI, you become may be able to access for MassHealth after you have received SSDI for 24 months; this is called Medicare after 24 months of SSDI, but Massachusetts also covers SSDI recipients through MassHealth during those first 24 months.

MassHealth is free or very low-cost depending on your income. There are no premiums for most people receiving MDA or SSI. If you have questions about your MassHealth coverage, you can contact MassHealth directly at 1-800-505-5000 or visit mass.gov/masshealth.

Work incentives and how earnings affect your payments

If you receive MDA, SSI, or SSDI, you can work and earn money, but your payments will be reduced or may stop depending on how much you earn. The rules are different for each program.

For SSI, the first $65 of monthly earnings are not counted, and then half of the remaining earnings reduce your SSI payment. For example, if you earn $200 per month, $65 is excluded, leaving $135; half of that ($67.50) reduces your SSI payment. For MDA, the rules are similar but set by Massachusetts and may differ slightly. For SSDI, you can earn up to a certain amount (called the Substantial Gainful Activity limit, which is $1,550 per month in 2024) without your benefits stopping, but earnings above that amount can end your benefits.

Both SSI and SSDI have work incentives that allow you to keep more of your benefits while you work. These include 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 excludes certain costs related to your disability. These are complex rules, and it is worth speaking with a work incentives planning counselor before you start working. You can find one through your state vocational rehabilitation agency or a Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program.

how the process works for Massachusetts disability programs

To explore for MDA, contact your local Department of Transitional information office. You can find the office nearest you at mass.gov/dta. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency in Massachusetts, income, resources, and medical evidence of your disability. You can explore in person, by mail, or online through the state's benefits portal.

To explore for SSI or SSDI, contact Social Security. You can explore online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at your local Social Security office. You will need a Social Security number, proof of age, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and medical evidence of your disability. You can explore to both SSDI and SSI in the same process.

For MassHealth, you can explore through the state's benefits portal at mass.gov/masshealth, or through your local DTA office if you are already explore for MDA. If you receive SSI, you are enrolled in MassHealth automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive both MDA and SSDI at the same time?

Yes. If you receive both, your MDA payment is reduced by the amount of your SSDI check so that your total payment does not exceed the MDA maximum. Many people explore for both programs at once because MDA can start faster while waiting for Social Security's decision on SSDI.

What is the difference between MDA and SSI?

MDA is a state program; SSI is federal. Both have the same income and resource limits and use the same disability standard. SSI payments are higher (the federal amount plus a state supplement), but SSI is available in all states, while MDA exists only in Massachusetts. If you move, your MDA ends but your SSI continues.

How long does it take to be approved for disability in Massachusetts?

MDA decisions usually take 30 to 60 days. SSDI and SSI decisions through Social Security typically take 3 to 6 months for the initial decision. If you are denied and appeal, a hearing before a judge can take 1 to 2 years. You can receive MDA while waiting for Social Security's decision.

Do I lose my benefits if I start working?

Not when ready. All three programs allow you to work and earn money, but your payments are reduced based on how much you earn. SSI and MDA reduce payments dollar-for-dollar after a small exclusion; SSDI allows you to earn up to $1,550 per month (in 2024) without losing benefits. Work incentives like PASS and IRWE can help you keep more benefits while working.

What happens to my MassHealth if I go back to work and lose my disability benefits?

If you lose MDA or SSI due to work earnings, you may lose MassHealth coverage. If you lose SSDI, you keep Medicare for 93 more months (about 7.75 years) even if you are working. You should contact MassHealth before you start working to understand how your coverage will change.