How Much Does Disability Pay in Mississippi?
Learn how disability payments are determined in Mississippi, covering federal programs and other potential income sources to understand your financial outlook.
Disability payments in Mississippi primarily come from federal programs, as the state does not operate its own general disability assistance program. Individuals seeking financial support due to a disability typically rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), both administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). These federal programs have distinct eligibility criteria and payment structures, which determine the monthly amount an individual may receive.
Social Security Disability Insurance Payment Calculation
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are calculated based on an individual’s past earnings and contributions to Social Security taxes. This program is designed for those who have worked a sufficient number of years and accumulated enough work credits. The SSDI calculation involves determining an individual’s Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). This figure represents a worker’s average earnings over their highest 35 years, adjusted for historical wage growth to reflect current value.
Once the AIME is established, the Social Security Administration applies a progressive formula to calculate the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The PIA is the base monthly benefit amount before any adjustments. This formula uses “bend points” that apply different percentages to segments of the AIME. For individuals becoming eligible in 2025, 90% of the first $1,226 of AIME is used, followed by 32% of the AIME between $1,226 and $7,391, and then 15% of any AIME above $7,391. This tiered structure ensures that lower-income earners receive a higher percentage of their average earnings as benefits.
Several factors can influence the final SSDI payment amount. Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are applied periodically to help benefits keep pace with inflation, potentially increasing the monthly payment over time. However, receiving other public disability benefits, such as Workers’ Compensation, can lead to an offset, reducing the SSDI payment if the combined total exceeds a certain percentage of the individual’s pre-disability earnings. The average monthly SSDI benefit was approximately $1,537.
Supplemental Security Income Payment Structure
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) operates as a needs-based program, providing financial assistance to aged, blind, or disabled individuals with limited income and resources, irrespective of their work history. Unlike SSDI, SSI is funded by general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes. The maximum federal SSI payment is the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). For 2025, the FBR is $967 per month for an eligible individual and $1,450 per month for an eligible couple.
The actual SSI payment an individual receives can be lower than the FBR due to countable income and resources. The SSA defines countable income, including earned income from wages, unearned income such as pensions or other benefits, and in-kind support like free housing or food. Specific exclusions apply, such as the first $20 of most unearned income and the first $65 of earned income plus half of the remainder. Any income exceeding these exclusions reduces the federal benefit.
Resource limits also impact SSI eligibility and payment amounts. An individual’s countable resources, including cash, bank accounts, and certain property, cannot exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Mississippi does not provide a state supplement to the federal SSI payment, meaning the maximum payment an SSI recipient in Mississippi can receive is the federal FBR, reduced by any countable income.
Other Potential Disability-Related Payments
Beyond federal Social Security Administration programs, other sources of disability-related payments may be available, each with distinct eligibility and payment rules.
Veterans Affairs (VA) Disability Compensation
Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation, for instance, is available to military veterans with disabilities incurred or aggravated during their active service. Payments are determined by the severity of the service-connected disability and the veteran’s dependency status, following a separate schedule from Social Security benefits.
Private Long-Term Disability Insurance
Private long-term disability insurance policies offer another potential income stream. The payment amount from such policies is entirely dependent on the specific terms and coverage purchased by the individual or provided through an employer. These policies typically replace a percentage of the insured’s income, and the duration of benefits varies based on the policy’s provisions. Eligibility for private disability insurance is distinct from federal programs and involves meeting the insurer’s definition of disability.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ Compensation is a state-regulated program providing benefits for injuries or illnesses sustained during employment. In Mississippi, these benefits are generally calculated at two-thirds (66 2/3%) of an injured employee’s average weekly wage, up to a state-determined maximum. There are different types of Workers’ Compensation benefits, including temporary total disability for those unable to work during recovery, and permanent partial or total disability for lasting impairments. A waiting period, typically five days, applies before benefits begin, though this period may be compensated retroactively if the disability extends beyond 14 days.