Social Security disability
Disability benefits in Vermont
Social Security rules are the same in every state. This page covers what is different in Vermont: 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.
Who decides your claim in Vermont?
Vermont Disability Determination Services (DDS)
This state office decides the medical part of your Social Security disability claim. It also decides disability for Vermont Medicaid (MABD) claims. Social Security checks the other rules first and then sends your claim to DDS.
- Part of
- Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Agency of Human Services
- Phone
- (855) 953-9749 (only if your claim is now with DDS)
- Vermont Disability Determination Services, 93 Pilgrim Park Road, Suite 6, Waterbury, VT 05676
- Website
- https://dcf.vermont.gov/dds
If your medical records are not enough, DDS may set up and pay for a special exam called a consultative examination. It is with an independent medical or mental health provider or hospital close to where you live.
Does Vermont add money to SSI?
Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD)
If you get SSI in Vermont, you also get the state supplement (AABD) in most living situations. The amount depends on where you live. People in Level IV residential care homes and custodial care family homes get more.
Paid by: Social Security, together with your SSI payment
| Who | State part | Total per month with SSI | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual living independently | $55.68 | $1,049.68 | January 1, 2026 |
| Couple living independently | $105.80 | $1,596.80 | January 1, 2026 |
| Individual living in the household of another (federal one-third reduction) | $42.05 | $704.72 | January 1, 2026 |
| Individual in a residential care home or assisted living residence with assistive community care (Level III) | $51.77 | $1,045.77 | January 1, 2026 |
| Individual in a residential care home (Level IV) | $239.62 | $1,233.62 | January 1, 2026 |
| Individual in a Medicaid facility (personal needs) | $49.93 | $79.93 | January 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 for the main supplement. Social Security pays SSI and the state supplement together.
- Contact
- Social Security Administration
1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
https://www.ssa.gov/apply/ssi
Medicaid in Vermont
Vermont's Medicaid is part of Green Mountain Care. If you get SSI, you get Medicaid. You do not need a separate Medicaid application. Your SSI award letter will say you will hear from the state about Medicaid.
- Program
- Green Mountain Care (Vermont Medicaid); Medicaid for the Aged, Blind and Disabled (MABD)
- Medicaid agency
- Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) / Green Mountain Care
https://dvha.vermont.gov/members/medicaid/medicaid-aged-blind-or-disabled-mabd
1-800-250-8427 (MABD questions); 1-855-899-9600 (Customer Service)
Medicaid for working people with disabilities: Medicaid for Working People with Disabilities (MWPD)
This Medicaid program is for people with disabilities who work. In 2026 the income limit is 250% of the federal poverty level, $3,325 a month for one person or $4,511 for two. The resource limit is $10,000 for one person or $15,000 for a couple. You apply through Medicaid for the Aged, Blind and Disabled (MABD).
https://dvha.vermont.gov/sites/dvha/files/documents/Standards-Change-for-Healthcare-20261001.pdf
Medicare Savings Programs
Vermont's Medicare Savings Program helps pay Medicare premiums, deductibles and copays: https://dvha.vermont.gov/members/medicare-savings-program
State disability and paid leave in Vermont
Vermont Family and Medical Leave Insurance (VT-FMLI) - voluntary
- Run by
- State of Vermont (Office of the Governor) with The Hartford (insurer)
- Who it covers
- This is a voluntary insurance plan, not a required state program. Employers with two or more employees can choose to offer it. Since 2025, workers whose employer does not offer it, self-employed people and employers with fewer than two employees can buy it.
- Benefit
- It depends on the plan. Plans pay 60% to 70% of wages for 6 to 26 weeks in a 12-month period. It can cover your own serious health condition, caring for a family member, a new child, and some military family needs.
- How to file
- File with The Hartford under your plan.
- Starts
- July 1, 2025
Hearing offices and federal court in Vermont
There is no Social Security hearing office in Vermont. Use the hearing office locator to find the office that serves you. Hearing office locator (Social Security)
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 Vermont
Court help for people without a lawyer
Counties covered (14)
- Addison
- Bennington
- Caledonia
- Chittenden
- Essex
- Franklin
- Grand Isle
- Lamoille
- Orange
- Orleans
- Rutland
- Washington
- Windham
- Windsor
Free help in Vermont
Protection & Advocacy agency (P&A)
Disability Rights Vermont
- Phone
- 802-229-1355 (toll-free 800-834-7890)
Legal aid
- Legal Services Vermont · 1-800-889-2047 (statewide legal helpline)
https://legalservicesvt.org/ - Vermont Legal Aid
https://www.vtlegalaid.org/
Benefits counseling and work (WIPA)
- MaineHealth (Maine Medical Center) WIPA project · 1-888-208-8700
Serves: Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL)
- Phone
- (802) 241-2401 (DAIL)
- Website
- https://dail.vermont.gov/
ABLE savings account
Vermont ABLE (ABLE program of the Vermont State Treasurer's Office)
Good to know in Vermont
- Vermont has a separate SSI supplement category for Chittenden County, but in 2026 the supplement for people living independently is the same everywhere: $55.68 a month ($1,049.68 with federal SSI). (POMS SI 01415.058M)
- On January 1, 2026, Vermont ended its separate SLMB Medicare Savings Program because it was folded into an expanded QMB program. (DVHA 2026 Standards Change for Healthcare)
- Vermont DDS also decides disability for state Medicaid (MABD) claims, not just Social Security claims. (Vermont DCF)
Recent changes
January 1, 2026: SLMB subsumed into QMB (DVHA); new AABD totals with the 2026 federal SSI increase. July 1, 2025: individual Vermont Family and Medical Leave Insurance plans began paying benefits (Office of the Governor).
More RobinClaim guides for Vermont → · All states
Sources
- SSA POMS SI 01415.058 - Federally Administered Optional Supplementary Payment Programs for January 2026 (Vermont, section M)
- SSA POMS SI BOS01415.013 - Vermont SSI State Supplement
- SSA POMS SI 01715.010 - Medicaid and the SSI Program
- Vermont DCF - Disability Determination Services
- Vermont DCF - About DDS
- Vermont DCF - DDS Disability Applicants
- DVHA - Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (MABD)
- DVHA - 2026 Standards Change for Healthcare (updated 10/01/2026)
- DVHA - Medicare Savings Program
- Office of Governor Phil Scott - Voluntary Paid Family and Medical Leave Program (Dec. 6, 2022)
- Vermont State Treasurer - Vermont ABLE Program
- NDRN - Member Agencies (Vermont)
- Legal Services Vermont - Contact
- LSC - Our Grantees
- 28 U.S.C. §126 - Vermont (govinfo)
- Social Security: office locator
- Vermont Family and Medical Leave Insurance (VT-FMLI) - voluntary
Last checked: November 2026