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Social Security disability

Disability benefits in Hawaii

Social Security rules are the same in every state. This page covers what is different in Hawaii: 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 Hawaii?

Disability Determination Branch

This state office decides the medical part of your Social Security disability claim. Social Security checks the other rules, like work credits and income. In Hawaii it is part of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Part of
Hawaii Department of Human Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

Find a Social Security office

Does Hawaii add money to SSI?

Hawaii State Supplementary Payment (optional state supplement)

Hawaii adds money to SSI only for some people who live in care homes. This includes state-approved community care or foster care homes and domiciliary care homes. It also includes people in a medical facility where Medicaid pays most of the cost. People who live in their own home or in someone else's household do not get the state supplement.

Paid by: Social Security, together with your SSI payment

WhoState partTotal per month with SSIEffective
Person in a state-approved community care or foster care home (adults over 18)$829$1,823October 1, 2025
Person in a domiciliary care home with 5 or fewer residents (Domiciliary Care I)$829$1,823October 1, 2025
Person in a domiciliary care home with 6 or more residents (Domiciliary Care II)$937$1,931October 1, 2025
Couple in a community care or foster care home$1,995$3,486October 1, 2025
Couple in a domiciliary care home with 6 or more residents (Domiciliary Care II)$2,211$3,702October 1, 2025
Person in a medical facility where Medicaid pays more than half the cost$45$75January 1, 2026

The total uses the federal SSI amount for that living arrangement. For people living on their own, the federal SSI part is $994 a month for one person or $1,491 for a couple in 2026. In another person's household or in a medical facility it is less.

How to apply
You do not need a separate application. Social Security checks you for the state supplement when you apply for SSI and pays it with your SSI.
Contact
Social Security Administration
1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
https://www.ssa.gov/apply/ssi

Medicaid in Hawaii

Hawaii's Medicaid program is run by the Med-QUEST Division. Hawaii uses its own rules for Medicaid. Getting SSI does not sign you up for Medicaid on its own. You need to apply for Medicaid with Med-QUEST.

Program
Med-QUEST (Hawaii Medicaid)
Medicaid agency
Hawaii Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division (MQD)
https://medquest.hawaii.gov/
(808) 524-3370 on Oahu, 1-800-316-8005 on the Neighbor Islands (TTY 711)

State disability and paid leave in Hawaii

Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)

Run by
Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), Disability Compensation Division
Who it covers
Workers who cannot work because of an injury or sickness that did not happen on the job, including pregnancy. In the 52 weeks before you became disabled, you must have at least 14 weeks of Hawaii work with 20 or more hours and at least $400 in pay each week. The weeks do not need to be in a row or with one employer. You must also be working when the disability starts.
Benefit
Under the basic plan set by law, TDI pays 58% of your average weekly wage, up to $871 a week in 2026. Pay starts on the 8th day of disability and lasts up to 26 weeks. Your employer's plan may pay more. TDI does not pay for medical care.
How to file
Tell your employer right away. Get Form TDI-45 (Claim for TDI Benefits) from your employer and fill out Part A. Your doctor, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse fills out Part C. Your employer fills out Part B. Mail the form to your employer's TDI insurance company, unless your employer is self-insured.
Filing deadline
File within 90 days of the start of your disability. If you file later, you may lose some or all benefits. If you file more than 26 weeks after your disability started, you get no benefits.

Hearing offices and federal court in Hawaii

1 hearing office serves Hawaii. Hearing office locator (Social Security)

Honolulu, HI Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
Prince Kuhio Federal Building, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3-303, Honolulu, HI 96850
Fax
(833) 511-0337

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 Hawaii

Counties covered (5)
  • Hawaii
  • Honolulu
  • Kalawao
  • Kauai
  • Maui

Free help in Hawaii

Protection & Advocacy agency (P&A)

Hawaii Disability Rights Center

Phone
808-949-2922 (voice/TTY; toll-free TTY 800-882-1057)

Legal aid

Benefits counseling and work (WIPA)

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Hawaii Department of Human Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

ABLE savings account

Hawai‘i ABLE Savings Program (part of Oregon's ABLE for ALL Savings Plan network)

More free help across the country →

Good to know in Hawaii

  • Hawaii's state supplement goes only to some people in care homes. Since October 1, 2025, a person in a community care or foster care home can get up to $1,823 a month in SSI and state money combined. (POMS SI 01415.058E)
  • Hawaii requires most employers to provide Temporary Disability Insurance. In 2026 the basic plan pays up to $871 a week. (DLIR Disability Compensation Division)
  • Hawaii is a 209(b) state. SSI does not bring Medicaid automatically, so you apply with Med-QUEST. (POMS SI 01715.010)

Recent changes

October 1, 2025: new state supplement rates for care homes and domiciliary care homes (POMS SI 01415.058E footnote). January 1, 2026: TDI maximum weekly benefit set at $871 and maximum weekly worker deduction at $7.50 (DLIR DCD, December 10, 2025).

More RobinClaim guides for Hawaii → · All states

Sources

Last checked: November 2026