How to Get Disability in Oregon: Your Complete Benefits Guide

Important: We updated this article in February 2025 after fact checking against Social Security Administration policy and data. More than 1 in 6 (15.8% of Oregonians have a disability, but not nearly as many of those people get monthly benefits. In 2023, just 162,118 Oregon residents got a federal disability benefit from the Social Security Administration. Wondering how to get disability in Oregon yourself? Step one is proving that you cannot work at all for a minimum of 12 months. We’ll explain how both federal programs work, including how to apply, qualify, and average pay amounts below.

How to Get Disability in Oregon: Key Takeaways

• The Social Security Administration (SSA) has two federal disability programs that pay cash assistance to eligible Oregonians.
• If you’re a disabled vet, hurt on the job, or still work, other types of disability benefits may be available to you.
• You’re 3x more likely to get Social security disability benefits on your first try if an attorney files your paperwork.
• Your medical conditions alone are not enough to get you monthly payments. Each program has different work history or income requirements to determine whether or not you’re eligible for a monthly payment.

Two Federal Programs Offer Oregon Disability Benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews disability applications and makes payments for two different federal programs:

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

Read through each section below to figure out which program you should apply for, based on the different eligibility rules.

How the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Program Works in OR

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that covers disabled American workers aged 18-66. Disabled children cannot qualify for SSDI benefits because they cannot meet the work history requirements. However, the program does pay Oregon disability benefits to eligible dependents of disabled workers who qualify for SSDI. This typically includes a dependent spouse who doesn’t work as well as any minor children living at home.

Eligibility Rules for Getting SSDI Benefits in Oregon

Here are the basic requirements to be eligible for SSDI payments:

• You have at least 40 Social Security work credits before you apply for SSDI. This is the first thing the program looks for on your application. Here’s a cheat to tell you if you can meet this requirement: Did you work 5 in the last 10 years while paying Social Security taxes? If yes, then you already have enough work credits.
• Your doctor diagnosed you with a serious health condition that makes you unable to work for 12 months or longer. If you’re still working or haven’t worked steadily in at least 5 years, then you likely aren’t eligible. The SSA also won’t pay SSDI benefits for temporary health issues, like pregnancy or surgery.
• You’re at least 18, but younger than 67 and not yet drawing any other Social Security benefits. By law, the SSA can only make one benefit payment for the work record associated with each Social Security Number. So, it’s not possible to draw both retirement and SSDI (this includes early retirement starting at age 62).
• Your monthly income as an individual falls below $1,620 (or $2,700 if you’re blind). If you still work and earn more than that in 2025, you aren’t eligible for SSDI.

What Is the Typical Waiting Period for SSDI Payments in OR?

Six months after your SSDI application date is the soonest most people get their first disability payment. Initial approval usually takes at least 7 months, on average, but you should not expect to succeed right away. That’s partly due to the required five-month waiting period under federal law.

On average, Oregon SSDI claims take 400 days to process before you can expect your first payment. If you apply on your own without a lawyer, you could wait 18 months or longer for your first check. If your first try fails, don’t worry. You have 60 days to appeal that decision in writing, and many people win benefits at the reconsideration or disability hearing stage. However, attorneys handle 4 in 5 successful appeals hearings before an administrative law judge.

How Much Money Does the SSDI Program Usually Pay Each Month?

The maximum benefit amount available from SSDI in 2025 is . Nationwide, the average SSDI payment each month is $1,580. If you apply for SSDI in Oregon right now, expect your monthly benefit to pay somewhere between those two dollar amounts. The SSA uses your average monthly paycheck from your highest 10 earning years while you worked to calculate your SSDI amount.

Does SSDI Approval Include Health Insurance?

Eventually, yes. Two years (24 months) after your SSDI payments begin, you automatically become eligible for Medicare coverage. However, you may have to file a separate application once your Medicare waiting period ends.

How to Get Disability in Oregon from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program

This federal program makes payments to disabled or blind children and adults, as well as seniors aged 65 and older. Unlike SSDI, however, Supplemental Security Income does not provide any dependent benefits to children or spouses.

How Can I Tell if I Qualify for SSI?

To get disability in Oregon from SSI, you must meet all the following eligibility requirements:

• Be blind, disabled, or at least 65 years old on the date you file your application. If you’re already 65+, you don’t need to have a disability to qualify for SSI.
• Have very low income and own few or no assets or resources you can easily sell for cash. For individuals, this means you cannot have more than $2,000 in financial assets. Couples must own less than $3,000 in combined resources. Your household income must be less than $2,019 to qualify, and that includes money from your spouse or roommates. Your VA disability, workers’ comp, alimony, or child support payments can also count towards this income limit.

How Much Money Does SSI Pay Each Month?

If you’re applying just for yourself, you can receive up to $967 each month in SSI benefits. Eligible couples in Oregon can receive no more than $1,450 each month.

What Else Can I Get with SSI Approval?

The same month the SSA awards you SSI, you automatically qualify for Medicaid healthcare coverage. You may also become eligible for additional resources that can help you make ends meet each month, including:

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
• Utility bill payment assistance

What About Temporary or Short-Term Disability Benefits?

Short-term or temporary benefits aren’t available from any state or federal program in Oregon at this time. However, you may qualify for short-term or long-term disability if you have insurance coverage through your current employer.

How to Get Disability in Oregon: You Have 4 Ways to Apply

In general, you can apply for disability from either federal program in one of the following ways:

1. In person at your nearest SSA office. This process often takes 4-5 hours, so be sure to call ahead and make an appointment if you cannot spend all day there.
2. Over the phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
3. Have an Oregon disability lawyer file your initial application to boost your odds of approval within 180 days. This option is completely free and triples your chance for a successful claim on your very first try.

For SSDI only, you can also apply online at SSA.gov. However, there is no way to apply online for SSI benefits at this time.

See If You May Qualify Before You Apply for Disability Benefits

A Social Security attorney can review your documents and tell you whether you may qualify before you start the application process. This claim evaluation is completely free, and you can ask any questions you like during your consultation. You don’t have to do anything else, and deciding whether you want to move forward or work with that attorney is completely up to you.

That means if the SSA denies your claim, then you owe $0 to the attorney handling your claim. And if you win, then you’ll only pay one small fee afterwards.

Ready to get started? Click the button below to see if you may qualify for a free consultation about disability benefits now: your free benefits quiz to see if you may qualify for a free phone call during regular business hours:

Get Your Free Benefits Evaluation