MassHealth Disability Supplement is extra money on top of your regular MassHealth coverage

MassHealth Disability Supplement is a cash payment program run by Massachusetts that gives you additional monthly money if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from Social Security and live in Massachusetts. It is not health insurance — it is money added to your SSI check. You keep your MassHealth health coverage at the same time you receive the supplement.

The program exists because SSI payments are set by the federal government and do not account for the cost of living in individual states. Massachusetts created this supplement to help people with disabilities cover expenses that SSI alone does not fully address.

You do not have to do anything to stay on the program once you are receiving it — MassHealth sends the payment automatically each month along with your SSI check. But you do need to report changes in your living situation or income, because those can affect whether you continue to receive the supplement.

Key Takeaways

  • MassHealth Disability Supplement is a monthly cash payment added to your SSI check, not a separate health insurance program.
  • You must be receiving SSI and living in Massachusetts to receive the supplement.
  • The amount you receive depends on your living situation — whether you live alone, with family, or in a facility.
  • You must report changes in where you live, who you live with, or your income, because these affect your payment.
  • The supplement continues automatically each month once you are approved; you do not need to reapply each year.

Who receives MassHealth Disability Supplement

To receive the supplement, you must be getting SSI payments from Social Security and be a resident of Massachusetts. You must also meet Social Security's definition of disability — which means you have a medical condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

If you are already receiving SSI, MassHealth will automatically check whether you are also receiving the supplement. If you are not, you can contact MassHealth to ask whether you are currently receiving it. Many people who are may be able to access do receive it without having to request it separately.

The supplement is available to adults and to children who receive SSI. If you are a parent or guardian of a child receiving SSI, you can ask MassHealth whether the child is receiving the supplement as well.

How much money you receive each month

The amount of the supplement changes each year, usually in January, because it is tied to the federal SSI payment amount. The exact dollar amount depends on your living situation — whether you live in your own home, with family members, or in a residential facility.

Because the amount varies by living situation and changes annually, you should contact MassHealth directly to learn the current payment for your circumstances. MassHealth can tell you the exact amount you should be receiving and can check whether you are getting it.

The supplement is in addition to your regular SSI check, not instead of it. You receive both payments.

What changes you must report to MassHealth

MassHealth needs to know if you move, if the people you live with change, or if your income changes. These changes can affect the amount of supplement you receive or whether you continue to receive it at all.

Report changes by contacting your local MassHealth office or by calling MassHealth directly. You should report a change as soon as it happens — do not wait for your next payment. If you report late and your payment was wrong, MassHealth may ask you to repay the difference, though this depends on the specific situation.

Common changes to report include: moving to a new address, moving in with or away from family members, entering or leaving a residential facility, starting or stopping work, or receiving money from another source.

How to contact MassHealth about the supplement

You can reach MassHealth by phone at 1-800-841-2900. This line is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. You can also visit your local MassHealth office in person — each city and town in Massachusetts has one.

When you call or visit, have your Social Security number and current address ready. If you are calling about a specific payment or change, have any relevant documents with you, such as a lease, proof of address, or documentation of income.

You can also ask Social Security directly whether you are receiving the MassHealth Disability Supplement. Social Security administers SSI payments and can confirm whether the supplement is being added to your check.

What happens if you move out of Massachusetts

If you move to another state, you will stop receiving the MassHealth Disability Supplement. You will continue to receive your regular SSI payment from Social Security, but the state supplement ends when you leave Massachusetts.

Some other states have their own supplemental programs for people receiving SSI. If you are moving, contact the MassHealth office before you leave to report your move, and then contact the disability program in your new state to learn what programs may be available to you there.

The difference between MassHealth Disability Supplement and MassHealth health coverage

These are two separate things. MassHealth health coverage is insurance that pays for doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and other medical expenses. MassHealth Disability Supplement is cash money that goes into your bank account or is added to your SSI check.

You can have both at the same time. In fact, if you are receiving SSI, you almost certainly have MassHealth health coverage already — it comes automatically with SSI in Massachusetts. The supplement is extra money on top of that coverage.

If you have questions about your health coverage — what doctors you can see, what prescriptions are covered, or how to use your MassHealth card — those are questions for MassHealth's health coverage team. If you have questions about the cash supplement, those are questions for the SSI program team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do anything to keep receiving the supplement each month?

No, once you are approved, the payment comes automatically. You only need to contact MassHealth if something changes — where you live, who you live with, or your income. Report changes promptly so your payment stays correct.

What if I think I should be receiving the supplement but I am not?

Call MassHealth at 1-800-841-2900 and ask them to check your account. Have your Social Security number ready. They can tell you whether you are receiving it and, if not, why. If you should be receiving it, they can start your payments.

Does the supplement count as income for other programs?

The supplement is considered income by some programs and not by others. If you are receiving benefits from another program — housing information, food information, or others — contact that program to ask how they treat the MassHealth Disability Supplement. Rules vary.

Can I receive the supplement if I work part-time?

Yes. You can work and still receive SSI and the supplement, as long as your earnings do not exceed the limits Social Security sets. Report any work income to both Social Security and MassHealth so they can calculate your correct payment amounts.

What if I disagree with the amount I am receiving?

Contact MassHealth first to confirm the amount is correct for your living situation. If you believe there is an error, ask them to review your case. If you disagree with their decision, you have the right to request a hearing — MassHealth can explain how to do that.