Wyoming Disability Payments: What You Must Know

When a medical condition keeps you off the job, you have a lot more to worry about. Luckily, federal disability payments can help ease your concern about money. Two U.S. government programs offer monthly Wyoming disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA):

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

Checking your eligibility is fast and easy because both programs use the same qualifying criteria.

We gathered the details people in the Cowboy State need to know to get the support they deserve.

SSI for Wyoming Disability Applicants

The SSI disability program supports low-income individuals who are blind, disabled or over 65 and meet eligibility requirements. Here are the basics.

1. What Are the Financial Eligibility Rules for SSI Disability?

Wyomingites from Clark to Carpenter who want SSI benefits must:

• Earn monthly income from wages and/or other sources less than $2,460 if you are blind and $1,470 if you have another disability. Couples must have less than $2,607 in combined monthly income. Child support, alimony, earned interest, SNAP, TANF, etc., all count toward this total.
• Own total assets under $2,000 ($3,000 for couples). This includes cash in bank accounts and items you could sell, such as stocks and bonds, lottery tickets, etc. Your wedding ring, the home and vehicle you own and other daily living items aren’t counted toward the total.

2. What Are the Age Requirements for SSI Disability?

People 65 and older are eligible. Younger residents, however, need a DDS exam to establish eligibility.

Pro Tip: A Wyoming disability lawyer can pay for doctor visits and medical records if you can’t.

3. How Much Does SSI Pay in Monthly Wyoming Disability?

Approved applicants can receive up to $914; couples can get $1,371. Your benefit may go up if Congress approves a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

4. How Long Can I Get SSI Payments?

Wyoming disability recipients must pass an update every 3-7 years in order to remain eligible. If you’re over 65, benefits continue as long as you meet the financial requirements. If you’re under 65 and don’t pass the update, you no longer receive benefits.

Related: How to Qualify for Washington DC Disability Benefits

SSDI for Wyoming Disability Applicants

The SSDI program uses deductions from employee paychecks to deliver benefits. Here are the basics.

1. Who’s Eligible for SSDI?

Wyoming disability seekers who answer “yes” to all these questions can apply:

• Have you worked full-time for at least 5 of the last 10 years for employers who withheld Social Security taxes? Your eligibility ends if you don’t work for 60 months since you didn’t pay FICA taxes during that time.
• Are you between 18 to 65 and not receiving Social Security benefits? The program stops paying at full retirement age because you start receiving regular Social Security.
• Have you seen a doctor in the past 90 days about your condition? If not, then you can get a DDS exam to confirm your disability.
• Does your doctor expect your condition to keep you out of work for at least 12 months? If you can return to work sooner, you aren’t eligible.

Pro Tip: A Wyoming disability lawyer can cover doctor’s visits as well as medical records if you can’t pay for them.

Remember, if you have some “no” answers, you may still qualify for SSI benefits!

2. How Does SSDI Pay?

The SSA calculates Wyoming disability payments by determining your average monthly paycheck over 35 years of work and setting your monthly benefit at 40% of that amount. The average monthly SSDI payment for 2023 is $1,483; the most is $3,345. You may get more if Congress passes a COLA. For benefits above $3,000 a month, you must have made $147,000 annually for 10 years before becoming disabled.

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

Most recipients get their first benefits in about 6 months. The approval process takes about 5 months, and your first check takes another 30 days to arrive.

Unfortunately, though, about half the people who apply are denied because of paperwork errors. You can appeal the rejection, but only 11% of appeals are successful. There are two chances to appeal a denial:

1. File a reconsideration within 60 days. You may have to wait 3.5 months for the process to complete.
2. Request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge if you’re turned down again. This process can take up to a year to complete.

Even if you eventually get approved, you may have waited 2 years for that first benefit check.

Pro Tip: Hiring a Wyoming disability attorney can make you three times more likely to get approved. Bonus: You only have to pay legal fees once you win your case.

4. How Long Can I Receive SSDI Payments?

You can receive benefits until age 65 if you pass updates every 3-7 years. After that, you’re switched over to regular Social Security retirement benefits. Your monthly amount stays the same.

Wyoming Disability Applicants May Qualify for Legal Assistance

Pro Tip: Be almost 3x more likely to receive benefits by hiring a Wyoming disability attorney.

Working with a qualified Social Security lawyer can also make the process easier. These professionals won’t charge you if you don’t receive benefits, and they only charge a small one-time fee if you win.

Don’t delay. Discover if you’re eligible right now! Click below to start your free online benefits evaluation.

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