Multiple Sclerosis Benefits in Rhode Island

• SSI (Supplemental Security Income): Federal program for people with limited income and resources who are aged, blind, or disabled. You must meet strict financial limits and have a qualifying disability, like Multiple Sclerosis, that limits your ability to work. SSI is available to adults and children.
• SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): Federal program for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. You must have a qualifying disability and enough work credits. SSDI is for adults only.
• Both programs require medical proof that your Multiple Sclerosis is severe enough to prevent you from doing substantial work for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death.
• Eligibility is determined by the Social Security Administration (SSA) using strict medical and financial rules. You can apply for both SSI and SSDI at the same time if you qualify.
• If approved, SSI recipients get Medicaid right away. SSDI recipients get Medicare after 24 months of receiving benefits.

Source: Social Security Administration, Disability Determination Services RI (accessed 2025-11-06)

• Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI): Rhode Island’s TDI program gives short-term wage replacement if you cannot work due to a non-work-related illness or injury, including Multiple Sclerosis flare-ups. To qualify, you must have paid into the TDI fund and earned at least $16,800 in your base period (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim). If you earned less, you may still qualify if you meet all of these conditions: earned at least $2,800 in one quarter, total base period wages are at least 1.5 times your highest quarter, and total base period wages are at least $5,600. You must be out of work for at least 7 consecutive days.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Services: The Office of Rehabilitation Services helps people with disabilities, including Multiple Sclerosis, prepare for, get, or keep a job. You must have a physical, intellectual, or emotional impairment that is a barrier to employment and need vocational rehab services to succeed at work.
• Medicaid: Rhode Island Medicaid covers healthcare costs for people with disabilities who meet income and resource limits. Medicaid waivers can help pay for long-term care and support services at home or in the community.

• Gather your medical records and proof of income.
• Apply for SSI and SSDI online at the Social Security website or at your local Social Security office.
• Apply for Rhode Island TDI online at the DLT website or by phone.
• Contact the Office of Rehabilitation Services for vocational rehab.
• Apply for Medicaid through the Rhode Island Department of Human Services.
• Ask about Medicaid waivers and ABLE accounts for extra support.

• Step 1: Get Medical Records

  • Collect all medical records related to your Multiple Sclerosis, including doctor’s notes, test results, and treatment plans. These are needed for all disability applications.

• Step 2: Apply for SSI/SSDI

  • Go to the Social Security Administration website or call 1-800-772-1213.
  • Fill out the application for SSI and/or SSDI. You can apply for both at the same time if you qualify.
  • Submit your medical records and proof of income.
  • The Disability Determination Services in Rhode Island will review your medical evidence and decide if you meet the disability criteria.

• Step 3: Apply for Rhode Island TDI

  • Go to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) website.
  • Fill out the TDI application online or request a paper form by calling 401-462-8420.
  • Submit proof of your earnings and medical need.

• Step 4: Apply for Medicaid

  • Apply through the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. You can do this online or in person.
  • If you get SSI, you will automatically qualify for Medicaid.
  • Ask about Medicaid waivers for long-term care and support services.

• Step 5: Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation

  • Download the application from the Office of Rehabilitation Services website or call 401-421-7005.
  • Complete the application and a Release of Information form.
  • Submit your medical records and proof of disability.

• SSI (Supplemental Security Income): Monthly cash benefit for people with disabilities who have limited income and resources. SSI helps pay for basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter. If you get SSI, you also get Medicaid right away.
• SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): Monthly cash benefit for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. SSDI is for adults only. After 24 months of receiving SSDI, you get Medicare.
• Medicaid: Federal health insurance for people with disabilities who meet income and resource limits. Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, and long-term care.
• Medicare: Federal health insurance for people with disabilities who get SSDI. Medicare covers most medical costs after 24 months of receiving SSDI.

Source: Social Security Administration, Disability Determination Services RI (accessed 2025-11-06)

• Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI): Rhode Island’s TDI program gives short-term wage replacement if you cannot work due to a non-work-related illness or injury, including Multiple Sclerosis flare-ups. Benefits are paid weekly for up to 30 weeks. The weekly benefit is based on your earnings, with a minimum of $130 and a maximum of $1,070 per week (as of 2024).
• Vocational Rehabilitation Services: The Office of Rehabilitation Services helps people with disabilities, including Multiple Sclerosis, prepare for, get, or keep a job. Services include job training, counseling, and help finding employment.
• Medicaid Waivers: Rhode Island offers Medicaid waivers that help pay for long-term care and support services at home or in the community. These waivers can cover things like personal care, home modifications, and respite care.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): State program that helps people with disabilities buy food.
• General Public Assistance: State program that provides cash assistance to people with disabilities who do not qualify for SSI or SSDI.

Source: Atticus, Temporary Disability Insurance in Rhode Island (accessed 2025-11-06); (accessed 2025-11-06); (accessed 2025-11-06); (accessed 2025-11-06)

ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. You can use the funds for qualified disability expenses like education, housing, transportation, and personal support. Rhode Island residents can open an ABLE account through the ABLE National Resource Center. Contributions are limited each year, but the account can grow tax-free.

Source: Disability Resources RI, ABLE Accounts (accessed 2025-11-06)

Federal and state disability programs have strict income and resource limits. For SSI, the federal income limit is about $943 per month for an individual (2024). For SSDI, there is no strict income limit, but you must not be doing substantial work. For Medicaid, income limits vary by program and household size. For TDI, you must have earned at least $16,800 in your base period or meet alternative criteria. Always report changes in income to avoid overpayments.

Source: Social Security Administration, Disability Determination Services RI (accessed 2025-11-06); Atticus, Temporary Disability Insurance in Rhode Island (accessed 2025-11-06)

If your income or resources change, you must report it to the Social Security Administration and the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. Failing to report changes can lead to overpayments, which you may have to pay back. Always keep records of your income and report changes as soon as possible. If you get an overpayment notice, you can appeal or ask for a waiver.

Source: Social Security Administration, Disability Determination Services RI (accessed 2025-11-06); Atticus, Temporary Disability Insurance in Rhode Island (accessed 2025-11-06)

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

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday

  Website

  For SSI and SSDI applications and questions.
• Rhode Island Disability Determination Services
  Phone: 401-421-7005

  Website

  For medical eligibility questions for SSA disability benefits.
• Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (TDI)
  Phone: 401-462-8420

  Website

  For TDI applications and questions.
• Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitation Services
  Phone: 401-421-7005

  TTY: 401-421-7016

  Website

  For vocational rehabilitation services.
• Rhode Island Department of Human Services
  Phone: 401-462-8100

  Website

  For Medicaid and other financial assistance.

• What federal disability benefits are available for Multiple Sclerosis in Rhode Island?

  People with Multiple Sclerosis in Rhode Island can get SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). SSI is for those with limited income and resources. SSDI is for those who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. Both programs require medical proof of disability.

• How do I apply for disability benefits in Rhode Island?

  You can apply for SSI and SSDI online at the Social Security website or at your local Social Security office. For state benefits like TDI, apply online at the Rhode Island DLT website. For Medicaid, apply through the Rhode Island Department of Human Services.

• What is Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) in Rhode Island?

  TDI is a state program that gives short-term wage replacement if you cannot work due to a non-work-related illness or injury, including Multiple Sclerosis flare-ups. You must have paid into the TDI fund and earned a certain amount in your base period.

• Can I get Medicaid if I have Multiple Sclerosis in Rhode Island?

  Yes, if you have Multiple Sclerosis and meet the income and resource limits, you can get Medicaid in Rhode Island. If you get SSI, you will automatically qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid covers healthcare costs and long-term care.

• What is a Medicaid waiver, and how can it help me?

  A Medicaid waiver helps pay for long-term care and support services at home or in the community. Waivers can cover things like personal care, home modifications, and respite care. Ask your Medicaid caseworker about available waivers.