Will Moving to Another State Change Your Disability Payments?

Planning on moving out of state, but you’re unsure how that will affect your disability benefits? This can certainly be a tad confusing and unnerving since these benefits are a lifeline to your financial and emotional health. It all boils down to whether you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

SSI & SSDI: What’s the Difference?

The Social Security Administration has specific requirements and various formulas for applicants of SSI and SSDI. For starters, SSDI is funded via payroll taxes and the recipients will have paid into the SSA trust fund through their years of work. However, If you’ve become disabled or have below the average income, SSI may be the better option to apply for because your years of work aren’t a part of the equation.

SSI Disability Benefits

These benefits are a form of cash benefits paid to people over age 65 and people who are disabled and blind and who have very limited income and resources. Even though the standard benefit amount is the same across the nation, some states will add money to that basic benefit amount.

SSDI Disability Benefits

SSDI applicants must meet very specific criteria and the benefit payments follow a very detailed formula. This disability benefit parallels an insurance program since the applicant will have paid into the Social Security Trust Fund via a payroll tax within the past 10 years.

A large part of how the SSA calculates your SSDI benefit amount is in the details of your work history including how many work credits you’ve earned within a specific time parameter.

Still Have Questions?

Because the nature of an SSA disability benefit application is so extensive and there are multiple varying factors involved, you can’t base the likelihood of your current benefits staying the same one one informative resource. So, if you’re unsure of how your benefits may be affected by moving, feel free to reach out to a professional and experienced disability advocate who can help you.