Utah Disability Benefits: How to Get Monthly Payments

Important: We updated this article in May 2024 after reviewing and fact checking it against current Social Security Administration policy data. Interested in Utah disability benefits? Before we get to that, you should know that Utah’s home to the Bonneville Salt Flats, a popular racing destination. Residents of the state eat twice the amount of lime green Jell-O as any other, especially with shredded carrots.

But if you’re missing work because of your health, you’ve already got plenty on your mind. Monthly disability benefits in Utah offer one way to decrease your stress and increase your income after you stop working. Two Social Security Administration (SSA) programs pay Utah disability benefits: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

We gathered the basics on each program below to help you to access the Social Security disability benefits in Utah that you deserve.

Program #1 for Utah Disability Benefits Seekers: Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The SSI disability program assists people with low incomes who are either blind, disabled, or over 65. Let’s check out the details for this federal government program below.

1. How Much Income Is Too Much to Qualify for SSI Benefits?

Residents of the Beehive State seeking SSI benefits must have:

• Monthly income under $2,590 if you’re blind and $1,550 if you have another medical condition. Unearned income (things like child support, alimony, earned interest, SNAP, TANF, etc.) also counts towards this total.
• Total assets below $2,000 (or $3,000 for couples). This amount includes funds in your bank accounts and items you could sell, like stocks and bonds, land, etc. The house and vehicle you own, wedding ring and other daily living items don’t count against your total resources for SSI.

2. Does the SSI Program Have Any Age Limits?

If you’re at least 65 years old, you’re eligible to apply for SSI. Younger applicants need a Utah Disability Determination Services exam to prove they cannot work due to disability.

Pro Tip: A Utah disability attorney can pay for doctor visits and medical records if you cannot afford them yourself.

3. What is the Average SSI Utah Disability Benefits Payment Amount in 2024?

The most any individual can get in SSI each month is $943 for individuals and $1415 for couples. This dollar amount goes up in years with an approved Social Security COLA increase.

4. How Long Do SSI Payments Last After Approval?

After SSI payments start, you must pass an update once every 3-7 years. If you’re younger than 65 and don’t pass the update, the SSA terminates your Utah disability benefits from SSI. If you’re over 65, benefits continue as long as your income and assets stay below the maximum amount.

5. If I Win Utah Disability Benefits from SSI, Can I Get Health Insurance, Too?

You can! Eligibility for Medicaid begins the same month you receive your first SSI payment.

How to Get Utah Disability Payments from the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Program

The SSDI program uses Social Security payroll taxes to pay benefits to applicants who qualify based on work history and disability status. Let’s check out the details.

Utah residents who answer “yes” to these questions can file a disability application for SSDI:

• Do you have 40 Social Security work credits? Full time employment for 5 in the last 10 years of your work history is enough to satisfy this rule.
• Are you younger than 67 and not currently receiving other benefits from Social Security? SSDI payments convert into regular Social Security once you reach full retirement age (i.e., turn 67).
• Have you seen a doctor in the last year to treat your medical condition? If not, you can get a DDS exam to confirm your disability.
• Does your provider expect your condition to keep you out of work for at least a year? Anyone with a physical disability or mental health conditions that will improve in less than 12 months cannot qualify for SSDI. However, if you have a terminal illness, you may get Utah disability benefits from the SSDI program faster than usual.

Don’t worry if you have some “no” answers. You might still qualify for SSI benefits, so keep reading…

2. How Much Money Can I Get Each Month in Social Security Disability Benefits?

The SSA sets your Utah disability payment by estimating your average monthly pay over 35 years of work and using 40% of that amount to determine the monthly benefit amount.

The national average monthly SSDI payment for 2024 is $1,537; the highest is $3,822. Your Utah disability benefits from SSDI may rise with a yearly COLA increase based on current inflation. If you already get workers’ comp benefits when you apply, your SSDI amount may go up once those payments end.

3. About How Long Does It Take To Get an Initial Decision on My SSDI Benefits Application?

The claim review process for an initial application takes about 5 months. It can take another 30 days to get your first assistance payment.

Unfortunately, many applicants get denied SSDI benefits on their first try (80%). You can appeal the rejection, but only 11% of appealed disability claims are successful.

4. What if the SSA Denies my Disability Application for SSDI?

You have several chances to appeal a denial as long as it’s within 60 days:

1. File a request for reconsideration. You have two months after your denial to complete this first appeal step. It can take up to 3.5 months to complete the reconsideration appeal process.
2. Request a disability hearing. If the SSA denies you Utah disability benefits on reconsideration, you can request a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge. It can take a year or longer to complete this stage in your appeal.

All this means that even if you do get approved, you may have to wait up to 2 years for your first payment.

Pro Tip: You’re 3x more likely to win benefits with a Utah disability attorney. You only have to pay legal fees when your application is successful.

5. Are SSDI Benefits in Utah Permanent?

At age 67, you’ll switch over to Social Security retirement. That said, your Utah disability benefits pay amount always stays the same.

6. What Am I Supposed to Do About Health Insurance?

Be patient. Social Security disability approval grants you Medicare access 24 months after your SSDI payments begin.

How to Start the Application Process for Utah Disability Benefits

Only interested in filing a claim SSDI? Then you can apply online via the SSA website: https://www.ssa.gov/apply.

Otherwise, you have 3 ways to submit your disability claim forms:

1. In person. You can do this at your local Social Security field office (hint: speed things up by making an appointment before you go).
2. Through an attorney, free of charge. This is the only option that triples your chances for winning benefits within the first 6 months.
3. Over the phone with an SSA agent’s help. Call the Social Security Administration toll free at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 8am to 7pm Eastern time.

Don’t Face an Administrative Law Judge at Your Hearing Without an Attorney

Pro Tip: Engaging a Utah disability lawyer can make you far more likely to get benefits.

Don’t think you can afford a lawyer? All disability attorneys work on contingency. That means you owe $0 unless you get Utah disability benefits with an attorney’s help. Since 4 in 5 people who file appeals have legal representation at the hearing stage, why wait? An attorney can also tell you if you qualify for disability before you start the benefits application process.

Want to find out for free over the phone if you might qualify for benefits before you apply? Click below to start your free online benefits quiz and get that free phone call now:

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