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Hawaii • Physical/Mobility
People with Muscular Dystrophy in Hawaii can access federal and state disability benefits, including SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Hawaii’s Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI). These programs help cover medical costs, provide income support, and offer services for daily living.
To qualify for federal disability benefits like SSI or SSDI, you must have a severe disability that limits your ability to work. SSI is for people with limited income and resources, while SSDI is for those who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. Both programs require medical proof of disability, such as a diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy. You must also meet income and asset limits set by the Social Security Administration. These programs provide monthly cash benefits and may include access to Medicaid or Medicare.
For SSI, you must be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen, have limited income and resources, and meet the disability criteria. For SSDI, you must have a qualifying work history and be unable to work due to your disability. Both programs require regular reporting of changes in your condition or income.
In Hawaii, people with Muscular Dystrophy may qualify for Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) if they are unable to work due to their condition. TDI provides partial wage replacement for up to 26 weeks for non-work-related disabilities. To be eligible, you must have worked for at least 14 weeks and earned a minimum amount in covered employment. The benefit is 58% of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $837 per week in 2025. Employers may share the cost of TDI premiums with employees, but the employee’s share cannot exceed 0.5% of their weekly wage or $7.21 per week.
Hawaii also offers Medicaid waivers for home and community-based services, which can help cover costs for personal care, therapy, and assistive devices. To qualify, you must meet income and asset limits and have a documented need for services.
Step 1: Review eligibility for federal programs (SSI/SSDI) and Hawaii TDI. Make sure you have a diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy and meet income and work requirements.
Step 2: Collect necessary documents, including medical records, proof of income, and employment history.
Step 3: Apply for SSI or SSDI online at https://www.ssa.gov/apply or visit a local Social Security office. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 for help.
Step 4: For Hawaii TDI, file a claim with your employer or the Disability Compensation Division. Claims must be filed within 90 days of disability to avoid loss of benefits.
Step 5: For Medicaid waivers, apply through the Department of Human Services. You may need to provide additional documentation of your disability and need for services.
Step 6: Keep records of all applications and correspondence. Report any changes in your condition or income to avoid overpayments.
Step 7: If your claim is denied, you can appeal by submitting evidence and explaining your disagreement within 20 days of the denial notice.
SSI/SSDI Application: https://www.ssa.gov/apply
Hawaii TDI Claim: https://labor.hawaii.gov/dcd/home/about-tdi/
Medicaid Waivers Application: https://medicaid.hawaii.gov/medicaid/medicaid-waivers/
SSI (Supplemental Security Income): Provides monthly cash benefits to people with disabilities who have limited income and resources. Eligibility is based on income, assets, and disability severity.
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): Provides monthly benefits to people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. Benefits are based on your work history and disability.
Medicare: Available to people with disabilities who receive SSDI after a 24-month waiting period. Covers medical services and hospital care.
Medicaid: Provides health coverage to people with disabilities who meet income and asset limits. May include home and community-based services.
SSI: https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/
SSDI: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/
Medicare: https://www.medicare.gov/
Medicaid: https://www.medicaid.gov/
Hawaii Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI): Provides partial wage replacement for up to 26 weeks for non-work-related disabilities. Benefits are 58% of average weekly wages, up to $837 per week in 2025. Employers may share the cost with employees.
Medicaid Waivers: Offer home and community-based services for people with disabilities. Services may include personal care, therapy, and assistive devices.
ABLE Accounts: Allow tax-free savings for disability-related expenses. Accounts are available to people with disabilities who became disabled before age 26.
Disability Retirement: Available to state employees who become disabled and can no longer work.
Hawaii TDI: https://labor.hawaii.gov/dcd/home/about-tdi/
Medicaid Waivers: https://medicaid.hawaii.gov/medicaid/medicaid-waivers/
ABLE Accounts: https://www.hawaii.gov/finance/able/
Disability Retirement: https://ers.ehawaii.gov/members/disability
ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to save money for disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for federal benefits. In Hawaii, ABLE accounts are available to people who became disabled before age 26. You can use the funds for expenses like medical care, education, housing, and transportation. Contributions are limited to $18,000 per year, and the account balance does not count toward SSI or Medicaid asset limits.
For SSI, the federal income limit is $943 per month for an individual in 2025. For SSDI, there is no strict income limit, but you must be unable to work due to your disability. For Medicaid, income limits vary by program and household size. For Hawaii TDI, there is no income limit, but benefits are based on your average weekly wage.
If you receive more benefits than you are entitled to, you may have to repay the overpayment. Report any changes in your income, resources, or living situation to avoid overpayments. For SSI and SSDI, report changes online or by phone. For Medicaid, report changes to the Department of Human Services. If you receive an overpayment notice, contact the agency to discuss repayment options.
Contact your local Social Security office or the Disability Compensation Division for help with your application. You can also get help from a disability advocate or legal aid organization.
Hawaii’s TDI provides partial wage replacement for up to 26 weeks if you can’t work due to a non-work-related disability like Muscular Dystrophy. Benefits are 58% of your average weekly wage, up to $837 per week in 2025. Employers may share the cost with employees.
You can apply for SSI or SSDI online at the Social Security website, by phone, or in person at a local office. You’ll need medical records and proof of income. The process can take several months, so apply as soon as possible.
Medicaid waivers in Hawaii provide home and community-based services for people with disabilities. Services may include personal care, therapy, and assistive devices. You must meet income and asset limits and have a documented need for services.
Yes, Hawaii offers ABLE accounts for people with disabilities who became disabled before age 26. You can use the funds for disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for federal benefits.
Hawaii’s TDI provides benefits for up to 26 weeks for non-work-related disabilities. Benefits start on the 8th day of illness or injury and are paid for up to 26 weeks.
If your TDI claim is denied, you can appeal by submitting evidence and explaining your disagreement within 20 days of the denial notice. Contact the Disability Compensation Division for help with the appeal process.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice on your specific situation.
Yes, you must report any changes in your condition or income to avoid overpayments. For SSI and SSDI, report changes online or by phone. For Medicaid, report changes to the Department of Human Services.
Yes, you can work while receiving disability benefits, but there are limits on how much you can earn. SSI and SSDI have work incentives that allow you to test your ability to work without losing benefits.
The maximum TDI benefit in Hawaii for 2025 is $837 per week. This is 58% of your average weekly wage, up to the maximum amount.
You can get help with your disability application from a local Social Security office, a disability advocate, or a legal aid organization. The Disability Compensation Division can also help with TDI claims.
