Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Benefits in Mississippi

To get Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for PTSD, you must have worked enough to earn work credits and have a severe impairment that stops you from working for at least 12 months. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses medical evidence and work history to decide eligibility. For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must have low income and limited resources, and your PTSD must be severe enough to meet SSA’s disability criteria. Both programs require that your earnings are below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, which is $1,620 per month in 2025 (or $2,700 if blind) [6].

Family members may also qualify for benefits based on your record. There is a 5-month waiting period for SSDI and a 24-month waiting period for Medicare, except for certain conditions [6].

Mississippi does not offer state-funded cash disability benefits for adults with disabilities, including PTSD. Federal programs like SSDI and SSI are the main sources of financial aid. However, Mississippi does provide support through Medicaid Waiver Programs, which offer in-home care, medical assistance, and support services for people with physical or developmental disabilities. The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) also offers employment services and financial aid for assistive devices. If you have PTSD and want to work, MDRS can help with job training and placement [1].

ABLE accounts are available in Mississippi for people with disabilities, including PTSD, to save money without losing eligibility for public benefits. The account can be used for qualified disability expenses [4].

• Check if your PTSD meets SSA’s disability criteria.
• Gather medical records and work history.
• Apply for SSDI or SSI online, by phone, or at a local SSA office.
• If denied, you can appeal.
• Apply for Medicaid and other state programs through the Mississippi Division of Medicaid or MDRS.
• Consider opening an ABLE account for savings [4].

• Step 1: Review SSA’s disability criteria for mental health conditions. PTSD must be severe and documented by a doctor.
• Step 2: Collect medical records, treatment history, and proof of work history.
• Step 3: Apply for SSDI or SSI online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local SSA office.
• Step 4: If you are denied, you have the right to appeal. You can request a reconsideration, a hearing, or review by the Appeals Council.
• Step 5: Apply for Medicaid through the Mississippi Division of Medicaid. You may qualify for Medicaid Waiver Programs if you have a disability.
• Step 6: Contact the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) for job training, employment services, and help with assistive devices.
• Step 7: If you want to save money without losing benefits, open an ABLE account through the Mississippi ABLE Program [4].
• Step 8: Report any changes in income, work, or health to SSA and Medicaid to avoid overpayments.

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Monthly payments for those who worked and paid Social Security taxes, and have a severe disability like PTSD that lasts 12+ months.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Monthly payments for those with low income and limited resources, including those with PTSD.
• Medicare: Health insurance for those who get SSDI after 24 months (exceptions for ALS and end-stage renal disease).
• Medicaid: Health coverage for those with low income and a disability, including PTSD.
• ABLE Accounts: Tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities, including PTSD, to save for qualified expenses without losing benefits [4].

• Mississippi Medicaid Waiver Programs: Provide in-home care, medical assistance, and support services for people with disabilities, including those with PTSD. These waivers help with daily living and can include personal care, home modifications, and transportation.
• Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS): Offers employment services, job training, and financial aid for assistive devices like wheelchairs and hearing aids. MDRS can help people with PTSD find and keep jobs.
• Mississippi ABLE Program: Allows people with disabilities, including PTSD, to save money in a tax-advantaged account for qualified disability expenses without losing eligibility for public benefits [4].
• Other State Resources: Mississippi does not offer state-funded cash disability benefits for adults with disabilities, including PTSD. Federal programs are the main source of financial aid.

The Mississippi ABLE Program lets people with disabilities, including PTSD, save money in a tax-advantaged account. You can use the funds for qualified disability expenses like therapy, education, housing, and transportation. The account does not affect your eligibility for SSI or Medicaid, as long as the balance stays under the limits. To open an account, visit the Mississippi ABLE Program website or call MDRS [4].

• SSDI: No strict income limit, but you must not earn more than $1,620 per month (2025) from work.
• SSI: Individual limit is $6,587 per month (2025), couple limit is $8,879 per month (2025) for Medicaid eligibility. For SSI, the resource limit is $2,000 for an individual, $3,000 for a couple [7].
• ABLE Accounts: No income limit, but you must have a disability that started before age 26. The account balance does not count toward SSI or Medicaid resource limits, as long as it stays under $100,000 [4].

If your income, work, or health changes, you must report it to SSA and Medicaid. Not reporting changes can lead to overpayments and penalties. You can report changes online, by phone, or in person. If you get an overpayment, you may have to pay it back, but you can request a waiver if it was not your fault. Always keep records of your reports and payments [6].

• Social Security Administration
  Phone: 1-800-772-1213

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Hours: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

  Website

  Apply for SSDI or SSI, get help with appeals.
• Mississippi Division of Medicaid
  Phone: 1-800-421-2408

  Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

  Website

  Apply for Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver Programs.
• Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
  Phone: 1-800-525-0022

  Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

  Website

  Get help with job training, employment, and assistive devices.

• Can I get disability benefits for PTSD in Mississippi?

  Yes, if your PTSD is severe and stops you from working for at least 12 months, you may qualify for SSDI or SSI. You must meet SSA’s medical and work criteria. Mississippi does not offer state cash benefits for adults with disabilities.

• How do I apply for SSDI or SSI for PTSD?

  You can apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local SSA office. You will need medical records and proof of work history. The process can take several months.

• What is the income limit for SSI in Mississippi?

  The SSI resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. For Medicaid, the monthly income limit is $6,587 for an individual and $8,879 for a couple (2025).

• Can I work while getting disability benefits for PTSD?

  Yes, but your earnings must be below the SGA limit ($1,620 per month in 2025). There are work incentives that let you keep benefits while you try to work. Report any changes to SSA.

• What is an ABLE account and how can it help me?

  An ABLE account lets you save money for qualified disability expenses without losing eligibility for SSI or Medicaid. You can use it for therapy, education, housing, and more. The account balance does not count toward resource limits.

• What Medicaid programs are available for people with PTSD in Mississippi?

  Mississippi offers Medicaid Waiver Programs that provide in-home care, medical assistance, and support services for people with disabilities, including PTSD. These waivers help with daily living and can include personal care, home modifications, and transportation.