Hawaii Disability Benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance, SSI, and TDI

If you become disabled and live in Hawaii, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). While SSDI and SSI are both federal programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), a Hawaii state agency decides whether or not you are disabled. In addition, Hawaii decides whether you are eligible for Medicaid, based on its own financial eligibility rules. Hawaii also offers temporary disability benefits through its temporary disability insurance (TDI) program.

Hawaii Disability Determination Branch

Hawaii's Disability Determination Branch (DDB) is the office that handles medical determinations on SSDI and SSI disability claims in Hawaii. The main office for DDS is located in Honolulu. After you file your initial disability application, you should direct questions about the status of your case to DDB. Here is the main contact information for DDB.

Disability Determination Branch
1580 Makaloa St., 6th Floor
Honolulu, Hi 96814
808-973-2244

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 2458
Honolulu, Hawaii 96804

Disability Benefits Payments in Hawaii

If you are approved for SSDI benefits, your monthly payment will depend on the amount you paid into the Social Security system.

If you are approved for SSI benefits, you will receive the federal monthly benefit amount of $771 ($1,157 per couple), minus any countable income. "In-kind" income like free room and board can also lower your SSI benefit.

In addition, the State of Hawaii offers additional payments for those receiving SSI who are living in domiciliary care or foster care setups. The SSA administers this payment for Hawaii, so you don't have to apply separately for it. See the table below for additional amounts that may be received by those on SSI in Hawaii.

These numbers have been updated for 2019.

Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) is the office that handles all appeals processes for disability claims. ODAR has one hearing office in Hawaii. Here is the contact information:

SSA, Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Prince Kuhio Federal Building, Room 3-303
300 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850
Telephone: (855) 601-2479
Fax: (808) 541-3536

Medicaid Eligibility in Hawaii

The State of Hawaii makes its own eligibility decisions for Medicaid (unlike most other states). Thanks to the high cost of living in Hawaii, the State of Hawaii allows those with incomes that are higher than the SSI income limit to receive Medicaid benefits. Hawaii's Medicaid program uses the federal poverty limit for the State of Hawaii as its income limit, which was $1,198 per month in 2019 (for an individual). Hawaii uses the same asset/resource limits as the SSI program: $2,000 in assets for an individual, $3,000 for a couple. In general, anyone who qualifies for SSI in Hawaii should also qualify for Medicaid.

To apply for Medicaid, visit your local Med-QUEST Division/Eligibility office .

Hawaii's Temporary Disability Insurance Program

The State of Hawaii provides temporary disability benefits for qualified employees through its Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program, for up to six months. You have to have worked at least 14 weeks for your employer, for at least 20 hours per week, at a rate of at least $400 per week. These short-term TDI benefits are typically 58% of your wages, up to a maximum, but your employer's plan can call for TDI benefits to be more.

Finding a Disability Lawyer in Hawaii

It may be helpful to talk about your case with an experienced disability attorney, especially if you've been denied benefits. An attorney can request the right medical information from your doctor and represent you at your Social Security disability hearing. You can set up a free consultation with a Hawaii disability attorney.

_{Updated August 1, 2019}