Kansas Disability Benefits: What Claimants Must Know

Important: We updated this article in May 2024 using the most current Social Security Administration policy data. Are medical conditions preventing you from working for at least one year? You may qualify for Kansas disability benefits through two federal programs run by the Social Security Administration (SSA):

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

Because the SSA manages these programs, you can apply to both at the same time. Let’s take a closer look at the process to qualify for these payments below.

How to Apply for Kansas Disability Benefits from the Social Security Administration

You have 3 different ways to start the application process for disability assistance from either federal benefit program:

1. In person at your local Social Security office.
2. Over the phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 8am to 7pm Eastern time.
3. Through a Social Security attorney, which costs you nothing until after the SSA awards you monthly income. If your claim fails, then you owe your attorney $0 for helping you.

For SSDI only, you also have a fourth way to start your claim: Online via SSA.gov. Unfortunately, you cannot apply for SSI online at this time.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) FAQs for Kansas Disability Applicants

The federal SSDI program is funded by deductions from workers’ paychecks during employment. Read on for information on eligibility and payments for Sunflower State residents.

1. Who’s Eligible to Apply for SSDI?

If you answer “yes” to all of these questions, then you can apply for SSDI today:

• Are you between the ages of 18 and 67 but do not yet receive benefits from Social Security? The SSDI program stops paying when you turn 67 since you begin getting regular Social Security benefits. Important: Eligible family members of disabled adults may also qualify for SSDI payments. However, disabled children cannot qualify for SSDI benefits on their own because they have no employment history.
• Have you worked in full-time jobs for at least 5 of the last 10 years while paying paid Social Security taxes? Eligibility lapses if you stop working for 60 months because you maintain coverage through active employment.
• Have you seen a doctor in the last year about your medical condition? If not, you need Disability Determination Services (DDS) to confirm your condition. A Kansas disability lawyer can cover doctor’s visits and medical documents if you can’t pay for them.
• Is the medical condition that makes you unable to work expected to last at least 12 months or result in death? If you can return to work in months or weeks, you aren’t eligible.

If you answered “no” to anything above, don’t worry. The SSI program may be available to you.

2. How Much Money Does SSDI Pay Each Month?

Kansas disability benefits from SSDI equal 40% of your average monthly paycheck over 35 years of working. Disabled workers receive an average of $1,537 in monthly SSDI for 2024; however, the most you can get is $3,822. Higher payments are sometimes provided through a cost-of-living adjustment passed by the U.S. Congress.

Pro Tip: If you apply for SSDI while drawing workers’ compensation in Kansas, it could affect your pay amount. Learn more about the workers’ compensation offset rule here.

3. How Long Does It Take to Get Your First SSDI Payment?

There’s usually a 5-month waiting period. That means SSDI applicants could receive their first Kansas disability benefits payment about 6 months after they file. Unfortunately, the SSA rejects 4 out of 5 SSDI claims the first time most people apply. Working with an attorney reduces the likelihood of errors and almost triples your chances for success. And since disability lawyers work on contingency, you won’t pay legal fees unless you get benefits.

If your claim fails, you must appeal within 60 days. The first appeal is called a reconsideration and takes about 3.5 months to complete. If that’s denied, you can request an appeals hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. You might wait more than a year for your hearing date, though. Even if your case wins on appeal, you might have to wait almost 2 years for your first payment.

4. How Long Can I Receive Kansas Disability Benefits from SSDI?

The SSA requires disability recipients to pass updates every 3-7 years until your 67th birthday. Once that birthday passes, you receive regular Social Security retirement benefits and your monthly amount stays the same.

5. Does the SSDI Program Offer Health Insurance Coverage?

You will receive access to the Medicare program’s health insurance coverage 24 months after your SSDI payments begin.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefit FAQs for Kansas Disability Applicants

SSI disability benefits help low-income Americans who are blind, disabled or over 65 and meet certain requirements. We collected everything residents of the Wheat State need to know.

1. Does SSI Disability Have Any Age Requirements?

Kansas disability applicants aged 65 and older automatically meet the age requirement. Younger Jayhawks need a DDS medical exam to establish eligibility. A Kansas disability lawyer can cover the cost of doctor visits and medical records if you can’t pay for them yourself.

2. What Are the SSI Disability Financial Eligibility Rules?

Even if you meet the age requirement or pass the DDS exam, Kansans seeking SSI payments must have:

• Monthly income from wages and/or other sources below $1,550 if you have a disability other than blindness, or $2,590 if you are blind. The SSA counts child support, alimony, earned interest, SNAP, TANF, etc., as “monthly income.”
• Total financial resources worth less than $2,000 ($3,000 for couples). The resources limitapplies to money in the bank and things you can liquidate, like lottery tickets, stocks and bonds, etc. However, daily living items like your vehicle, the home you own and your wedding ring don’t count toward this total.

3. How Much Does SSI Pay Every Month?

If your claim is approved, you may get as much as $943 for an individual or $1415 for couples. From time to time, Congress approves a COLA to increase your benefit. 

4. How Long Can I Get SSI Payments?

SSI recipients must pass a disability update every 3-7 years in order to maintain eligibility. For Jayhawks over 65, monthly Kansas disability benefits continue as long financial requirements are met. The SSA stops payments to Kansans under 65 if they find those recipients ineligible.

5. Will I Get Health Insurance After SSI Approval?

Yes, you should qualify for Medicaid coverage the same month you receive your first SSI payment.

How to Get Free Expert Help Qualifying for Kansas Disability Benefits

A Social Security lawyer can boost your odds of claim approval by almost 3x in 6 months or less. 

Your attorney charges nothing if you don’t win, and only one small fee if you do.

Don’t wait! See if you qualify for Kansas disability benefits right now. Click below to start your free online quiz in order to connect with free expert claim help:

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