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Social Security disability

Disability benefits in Connecticut

Social Security rules are the same in every state. This page covers what is different in Connecticut: who decides your claim, state money added to SSI, Medicaid, hearings and free help.

You have 60 days to appeal each decision, plus 5 days for mail.

How to appeal a denialAppeal deadline calculator

Who decides your claim in Connecticut?

ADS-Disability Determination Services (ADS-DDS)

This state office decides if Connecticut residents meet the medical rules for Social Security disability (SSDI) and SSI. You apply with Social Security first. Social Security then sends your claim to ADS-DDS for the medical review.

Part of
Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ADS hours for all divisions)
Mail
Disability Determination Services, 309 Wawarme Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114

ADS-DDS looks at records from your doctors, hospitals and clinics. It may ask for more information or schedule another evaluation. Send any information it asks for quickly to avoid delays.

Find a Social Security office

Does Connecticut add money to SSI?

State Supplement Cash Assistance (State Supplement Program for the Aged, Blind or Disabled)

This state program gives cash to people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled (ages 18 to 65) and who already have some income, such as SSI, Social Security or veterans' benefits. The amount is based on your income and needs, so there is no set monthly amount. Your savings and other assets must be $1,600 or less for one person or $2,400 for a married couple. People who get State Supplement also get Medicaid.

Paid by: the state

How to apply
This is a separate application with the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS). Apply online at ConneCT (connect.ct.gov), by mail, or at a DSS resource center.
Contact
Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) Benefits Center
1-855-626-6632
https://portal.ct.gov/dss/knowledge-base/articles/cash-assistance/state-supplement-cash-assistance

Medicaid in Connecticut

Connecticut's Medicaid program is called HUSKY Health. HUSKY C is the part for people who are 65 or older, blind or disabled. Connecticut uses its own, stricter Medicaid rules, so getting SSI does not sign you up for Medicaid. You must apply for HUSKY C with the Department of Social Services. If your income is too high, a 'spend-down' lets you subtract medical bills from your income to reach the Medicaid limit.

Program
HUSKY Health (HUSKY C for aged, blind and disabled)
Medicaid agency
Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)
https://portal.ct.gov/dss/how-to-apply
1-855-626-6632 (Benefits Center)

Medicaid for working people with disabilities: MED-Connect (Medicaid for Employees with Disabilities)

MED-Connect gives full HUSKY Health coverage to people with a disability or blindness who work for pay. You can earn up to $85,000 a year. Only your own income counts for eligibility. Your countable assets must be $20,000 or less ($30,000 for a couple). If your countable income is under 200% of the federal poverty level, there is no premium. Above that, you may pay a monthly premium.

https://portal.ct.gov/dss/health-and-home-care/disability-services/med-connect-medicaid-for-employees-with-disabilities/med-connect-medicaid-for-employees-with-disabilities/eligibility

Medicare Savings Programs

Connecticut's Medicare Savings Programs help pay Medicare costs. Since March 1, 2026, the monthly income limits are $2,807 for one person ($3,806 for a couple) for QMB, $3,073 ($4,166) for SLMB and $3,272 ($4,437) for ALMB (DSS Program Standards Chart).

State disability and paid leave in Connecticut

CT Paid Leave

Run by
Connecticut Paid Leave Authority (claims handled by Aflac)
Who it covers
Workers who work for a covered Connecticut employer now, or did in the last 12 weeks. You must have earned at least $2,325 in your highest-earning quarter of the base period. Self-employed people can join. Leave can be for your own serious health condition, to care for a family member, to bond with a new child, and other reasons.
Benefit
95% of your base weekly earnings up to 40 times the Connecticut minimum wage, plus 60% of your earnings above that. The most you can get each week is 60 times the Connecticut minimum wage. The minimum wage has been $16.94 an hour since January 1, 2026. You can get up to 12 weeks in a 12-month period, plus up to 2 more weeks for incapacity during pregnancy.
How to file
Create a CT.gov account and apply online through ctpaidleave.org, or call the Aflac call center at 877-499-8606. You can start your application 30 days before your leave. If your employer has an approved private plan, apply through that plan.

Hearing offices and federal court in Connecticut

2 hearing offices serve Connecticut. Hearing office locator (Social Security)

Hartford, CT Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
William R. Cotter Federal Building, 135 High Street, Room 331, Hartford, CT 06103-1193
Fax
(833) 359-0111

New Haven, CT Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
Connecticut Financial Center, 157 Church Street, 7th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510
Fax
(833) 563-0485

Federal district court

If you appeal to federal court, you file in the district court that covers your county.

U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut

Court help for people without a lawyer

Counties covered (8)
  • Fairfield
  • Hartford
  • Litchfield
  • Middlesex
  • New Haven
  • New London
  • Tolland
  • Windham

Free help in Connecticut

Protection & Advocacy agency (P&A)

Disability Rights Connecticut

Phone
860-297-4300 (toll-free 800-842-7303)

Legal aid

Benefits counseling and work (WIPA)

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS), CT Department of Aging and Disability Services

ABLE savings account

ABLE CT

More free help across the country →

Good to know in Connecticut

Recent changes

January 1, 2026: Connecticut minimum wage rose from $16.35 to $16.94 an hour; the CT Paid Leave maximum weekly benefit is 60 times the minimum wage (Conn. Gen. Stat. §31-49g(c)(2)). Public Act 25-174 expanded CT Paid Leave and CT FMLA coverage to certain non-certified employees of public and private elementary and secondary schools (CT Paid Leave Authority 2026 annual report).

More RobinClaim guides for Connecticut → · All states

Sources

Last checked: November 2026