Multiple Sclerosis Benefits in Pennsylvania

To qualify for federal disability benefits in Pennsylvania, you must have a medical condition that meets the Social Security Administration's definition of disability. This means your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least one year or result in death. For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you need enough work credits from jobs where you paid Social Security taxes. For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must have limited income and resources, and your disability must meet SSA criteria. Both programs require medical evidence to prove your disability.

• SSDI: Generally, you need 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before your disability began [6].
• SSI: No work history needed, but strict income and asset limits apply [1].
• Both: Your Multiple Sclerosis must be documented by medical records and meet SSA's disability listings or be equally severe [2].

In Pennsylvania, people with Multiple Sclerosis can qualify for both federal and state benefits. SSDI and SSI are the main federal programs, but Pennsylvania also offers Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD), which has higher income and asset limits than regular Medicaid. MAWD is for people who work but still need health coverage due to their disability. To qualify for MAWD, you must be working and have a disability, such as Multiple Sclerosis, and meet income and resource limits. SSI recipients in Pennsylvania automatically get Medicaid, which covers medical care without a waiting period. SSDI recipients get Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. Pennsylvania also has Medicaid waivers for home and community-based services, which can help with long-term care needs related to Multiple Sclerosis [4][5].

• Gather medical records and proof of income.
• Decide if you need SSDI (work history) or SSI (low income).
• Apply online at SSA.gov or in person at a local office.
• For Medicaid or MAWD, apply through COMPASS or your County Assistance Office.
• Report any changes in your situation to avoid overpayments.

• Step 1: Get your medical records. You need detailed documentation of your Multiple Sclerosis from doctors, hospitals, or clinics.
• Step 2: Check your work history. If you have paid Social Security taxes for several years, you may qualify for SSDI. If not, you may qualify for SSI.
• Step 3: Apply for SSDI or SSI. You can apply online at SSA.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local Social Security office. You will need to provide your medical records, work history, and personal information [6].
• Step 4: Apply for Medicaid or MAWD. If you get SSI, you will automatically get Medicaid in Pennsylvania. If you work and have a disability, you can apply for MAWD through COMPASS (compass.state.pa.us), by phone at 1-866-550-4355, or in person at your County Assistance Office. You will need proof of work and disability, such as a paystub and your SSDI award letter or a doctor's letter [4][5].
• Step 5: Report changes. If your income, work status, or medical condition changes, report it to Social Security and your County Assistance Office to avoid overpayments [1].

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): For people with a work history. Benefits are based on your earnings. No income or asset limits. After 24 months, you get Medicare.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): For people with limited income and resources. No work history needed. Benefits are based on financial need. SSI recipients get Medicaid in Pennsylvania.
• Medicare: Available after 24 months of SSDI. Covers medical care.
• Medicaid: Available to SSI recipients and some others with low income. Covers medical care, including home and community-based services.

For more details, see SSI vs SSDI and Medicaid vs Medicare.

• Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD): A Medicaid program for people with disabilities who work. Has higher income and asset limits than regular Medicaid. You must be working and have a disability. Premium is 5% of countable income.
• Medicaid Waivers (HCBS): For long-term care and support services. Helps people with Multiple Sclerosis live at home or in the community instead of institutions.
• County Assistance Offices: Help with applying for benefits, including SNAP, Medicaid, and cash assistance.
• Disability Rights Pennsylvania: Provides free legal help and advocacy for people with disabilities.

For more details, see Medicaid Waivers (HCBS) and All benefits in your state.

An ABLE account lets people with disabilities save money without losing benefits. In Pennsylvania, you can open an ABLE account to save for disability-related expenses. The account grows tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified expenses do not count as income for SSI or Medicaid. For more details, see Pennsylvania ABLE account.

• SSDI: No income or asset limits.
• SSI: $943/month for an individual, $1,415/month for a couple in 2025. $2,000 in assets for an individual, $3,000 for a couple.
• MAWD: Higher income and asset limits than regular Medicaid. Premium is 5% of countable income.

For more details, see SSI Income Estimator.

It is important to report changes in your income, work status, or medical condition to Social Security and your County Assistance Office. If you do not report changes, you may get too much money and have to pay it back. For more details, see Avoiding Overpayments & Reporting Changes.

• Disability Rights Pennsylvania
  Phone: 800-692-7443

  Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

  Website

  Free legal help for people with disabilities in PA.

• Can I work if I have Multiple Sclerosis and get disability benefits in Pennsylvania?

  Yes, you can work while getting SSDI or SSI. SSDI has a trial work period where you can earn up to $1,550 monthly without losing benefits. SSI has strict income limits, and benefits are reduced as you earn more. For details, see [SSI & SSDI Work Incentives](/guides/work-incentives).

• How do I prove my Multiple Sclerosis for disability benefits?

  You need medical records from doctors, hospitals, or clinics that show your diagnosis and how it affects your ability to work. The Social Security Administration will review your records to decide if you qualify.

• Do I get health insurance with disability benefits in Pennsylvania?

  SSI recipients get Medicaid automatically. SSDI recipients get Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. Pennsylvania also has special Medicaid programs for workers with disabilities.

• What is Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD)?

  MAWD is a Medicaid program for people with disabilities who work. It has higher income and asset limits than regular Medicaid. You must be working and have a disability to qualify.

• Can I get both SSDI and SSI in Pennsylvania?

  Yes, if your SSDI benefit is low, you may also qualify for SSI. This is called concurrent benefits. SSI will supplement your income up to the federal benefit rate.

• How do I apply for Medicaid in Pennsylvania if I have Multiple Sclerosis?

  If you get SSI, you automatically get Medicaid. If you work and have a disability, you can apply for MAWD through COMPASS, by phone, or in person at your County Assistance Office.