How to Get Disability in Alabama: Your Complete Benefits Guide

Important: We updated this article in January 2025 after checking against current Social Security Administration policy and data. Wondering how to get disability in Alabama if your health forces you to stop working? You’re not alone. Nearly 12% of Alabamans younger than 65 years old have some kind of disability. But in 2023, just half of that population (324,464 people) got disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). See which programs offer monthly benefits, how to apply, qualify, pay amounts, and more helpful tips below.

How to Get Disability in Alabama: Key Takeaways

• Alabamans with a serious medical condition who cannot work for at least one year may qualify to receive disability benefits.
• Having a qualifying disability alone won’t make you eligible for payments. The SSA will also review other eligibility requirements, like your work history, monthly income, and other factors.
• If you already receive other Social Security benefits, like early or regular retirement, then you are not eligible for disability.
• Depending on which program awards you disability, you can also get health insurance coverage through Medicare or Medicaid.
• Working with an attorney makes you far more likely to get benefits on your first try. The SSA approves less than 1 in 3 people who file for disability payments every year, on average.

Which Programs Offer Alabama Disability Benefits?

You may qualify for disability benefits from one of these two federal programs:

1. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages both benefit programs. It’s important to remember that most people only qualify for SSDI or SSI, not both.

How to Get Disability in Alabama from the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Program

The first program, SSDI, is a federal program funded through Social Security payroll taxes taken out of every paycheck. It covers most workers in the U.S. aged 18-66 with a valid Social Security Number.

1. Who’s eligible to apply for SSDI benefits?

You must be able to answer “yes” to every question below before you file an SSDI claim in Alabama:

• Have you paid Social Security taxes while working for at least 5 out of the last 10 years? In most cases, you need at least 40 work credits to qualify. For every $1,810 in job wages you receive, you’ll earn 1 work credit. Nobody can earn more than 4 work credits in a given calendar year.
• Will your health problems force you to stop working for at least 12 months? This SSA calls your ability to work “engaging in substantial gainful activity.” So, you must prove you cannot work at all for at least one year, specifically because of your health.
• Is a doctor treating your medical condition now? You’ll need to submit medical evidence that supports your application for disability to qualify for payments. That includes complete medical records that show you see a doctor regularly to treat your health problems.
• Are you younger than 67 years old? SSDI gives disabled workers access to their maximum Social Security benefit payment before age 67. If you start drawing early retirement or can still work, then you’re not eligible for disability from the SSDI program.

2. How long does it usually take to get your first SSDI check?

Six months from your application date is the soonest anyone can receive an SSDI payment. The SSA takes about 3-5 months to review each application for benefits. That includes the required five-month waiting period under federal law. The SSDI application process for benefits is time-consuming and requires a lot of supporting documents.

The SSA denies 7 in every 10 SSDI claims the first time. If that happens, you have 60 days to appeal your denial. Reconsideration, the first appeal step, takes about 100 days to finish. And if you have to appeal a second time, you’ll schedule a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Expect to wait 18-26 months for your first payment if you win benefits on appeal.

3. How much does SSDI pay in benefits each month?

The highest Alabama disability payment you can get through the SSDI program in 2025 is $4,018. However, the average SSDI benefit amount nationwide is currently $1,580. If successful, your monthly payment will likely fall somewhere between those two dollar amounts.

Important: SSDI also pays benefits to eligible dependents. Your spouse and minor children can get up to 50% of your SSDI check amount each month.

4. How do they calculate SSDI benefit payment amounts?

The amount of money you receive each month depends entirely on your work income prior to becoming disabled. The SSA calculates your SSDI payment to equal about 40% of your monthly paycheck, then adjusts it for current inflation.

5. Are SSDI payments permanent?

No. If the SSA approves your SSDI claim, you must pass a disability update once every 3-7 years until you turn 67. On that birthday, your SSDI benefits convert into regular Social Security retirement at the same pay amount.

6. Does SSDI approval include health insurance?

Yes, but you’ll have to wait to take advantage of it. Two years (24 months) after your SSDI payments begin, you also become eligible for Medicare coverage.

How to Get Disability in Alabama From the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) helps very low income Alabamans who are blind, disabled, or at least 65 years old. Unlike SSDI, SSI benefits are available to both children and adults.

1. Who can apply for SSI benefits?

Anyone who can meet these requirements is eligible to file an SSI claim with the Social Security Administration:

• Not currently working
• Your entire household’s income falls below the current maximum limit (this changes every year)
• Able to submit medical evidence showing you’re blind or disabled unless you’re aged 65 or older
• You own less than $2,000 in assets if you apply only for yourself, or $3,000 if filing as a married couple

3. How much are SSI benefits each month?

In 2025, individuals can get up to $967 each month in SSI. Eligible couples in Alabama can get a maximum of $1,450 per month in SSI benefits.

Federal law sets this amount, and payments come out of the federal government’s general tax fund. However, anyone on SSI or SSDI may receive an annual COLA raise in years that Congress approves them.

4. Does SSI approval include health insurance?

Yes! You’ll qualify for Medicaid coverage the same month you get your first SSI check.

How to Get Alabama Disability Benefits: You Have 4 Ways to Apply

You can apply online for SSDI benefits only at SSA.gov.

However, you also have 3 other free ways to apply for benefits:

1. With help from a nearby disability lawyer. Not sure where to find one who’s available to help you? We can connect you with one for a free claim evaluation and consultation!
2. In person at your local Social Security office. We recommend calling ahead and getting an appointment first to shorten your visit.
3. Over the phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday during business hours.

What About Temporary or Short-Term Disability?

You can only get short-term or temporary benefits for conditions lasting less than 12 months in two ways:

1. From your employee benefits plan (if you’re still working).
2. Through a private disability insurance policy, provided you bought one before you became disabled. It’s not possible to purchase this type of plan once you become unable to work.

However, if you’re a disabled veteran or have a workplace injury or illness, you may have other options. See all types of disability benefits that may be available to you, based on your personal history.

Triple Your Chances for A Successful Claim the First Time

An Alabama disability lawyer makes you nearly 3x more likely to qualify for benefits within 6 months. All Social Security attorneys work on contingency. That means they can’t charge you anything unless you win benefits. And if you’re successful, you only pay one small fee after your award goes through.

Ready to get started? Click the button below now to start your free online benefits quiz to see if you may qualify:

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