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Social Security disability

Disability benefits in Washington

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

Disability Determination Services (DDS), also called the Division of Disability Determination Services (DDDS)

This state office decides the medical part of your Social Security disability claim (SSDI and SSI). Social Security checks the other rules, like work credits and income. DDS also decides disability for the state's Non-Grant Medical Assistance program.

Part of
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
Fax for records
Use the fax number on your DDS letter. Olympia: 1-866-324-3313. Federal Way: 1-866-625-3815. Spokane: 1-866-478-0546.
Mail
Disability Determination Services, PO Box 9303 MS 45550, Olympia, WA 98507-9303

Offices

  • Olympia Regional Office (TDD 1-888-583-6941) · 1-800-562-6074
  • Federal Way Regional Office, 33810 Weyerhaeuser Way S, Suite 200 (TDD 711) · 1-800-562-6074
  • Spokane Regional Office, RockPointe III Building, 1330 N. Washington Street, Suite 2080 (TDD 509-329-3822) · 1-800-562-6074

Most of the time, records from your own doctors are enough. In about 30% of cases, DDS pays for a medical exam, called a consultative examination (CE), with one of about 250 doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists who work with DDS. DDS can send you a copy of any exam. Ask your adjudicator how to sign the right permission form.

Find a Social Security office

Does Washington add money to SSI?

State Supplemental Payment (SSP)

Washington pays a small state payment to some people who get SSI. DSHS pays it to people who get SSI and are 65 or older or blind, and to people who get SSI and have a spouse who does not get SSI. Some people with developmental disabilities can get a state payment through the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) if DDA approves it. Different amounts apply to people who got state help before 1974 and to people who live in a medical institution.

Paid by: the state

WhoState partTotal per month with SSIEffective
Person who gets SSI and is 65 or older or blind, or who has a spouse who does not get SSI$33$1,027July 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
Social Security decides if you get SSI. You do not fill out a separate application: in most cases DSHS opens the state payment on its own after Social Security starts your SSI. DSHS pays it separately from your SSI check, by check or direct deposit. It starts with the first month Social Security pays you SSI. It is not paid for past months.
Contact
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
1-877-501-2233 (DSHS Customer Service Contact Center)
https://www.dshs.wa.gov/supplemental-security-income-and-state-supplemental-payment

Medicaid in Washington

Washington's Medicaid program is called Washington Apple Health. If you get SSI, you get Apple Health. You do not need a separate Medicaid application.

Program
Washington Apple Health (Medicaid)
Medicaid agency
Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), Apple Health
https://www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/programs-and-initiatives/apple-health-medicaid
1-877-501-2233 (DSHS Customer Service Contact Center, for applications)

Medicaid for working people with disabilities: Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities (HWD)

HWD is health coverage for people with a disability or blindness who work, full-time or part-time, including self-employment. There is no income limit and no resource limit. You must be 16 or older, live in Washington, meet Social Security's disability rules (or get a disability decision from DDS), and pay a monthly premium. The premium depends on what you earn and is never more than 7.5% of your total income. American Indians and Alaska Natives do not pay premiums. Apply online at washingtonconnection.org, by phone at 1-800-871-9275, or with paper form HCA 18-005.

https://www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-need-medical-dental-or-vision-care/apple-health-workers-disabilities-hwd

Medicare Savings Programs

The Medicare Savings Program can help pay Medicare premiums, copays, deductibles and coinsurance. Apply with form HCA 18-005 or HCA 13-691, online at washingtonconnection.org, or by phone at 877-501-2233 (DSHS).

State disability and paid leave in Washington

Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) - medical leave

Run by
Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD), Paid Leave
Who it covers
Washington workers with a serious health condition that keeps them from working. You must have worked 820 hours in your qualifying period (about the last year before you apply). Full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal work count. You do not need to have a job right now. Federal workers, tribal business workers on tribal land, and self-employed people who did not opt in are not covered.
Benefit
Up to 90% of your weekly pay, up to a maximum of $1,647 a week in 2026. Up to 12 weeks of medical leave in your claim year, or up to 16 weeks if you also need family leave (18 weeks for some pregnancy conditions). Medical leave usually has an unpaid waiting week.
How to file
Tell your employer at least 30 days ahead if you can. Apply online at paidleave.wa.gov. After you are approved, file a weekly claim to get paid.
Filing deadline
Apply within 30 days after your qualifying event happens.

Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) - family leave

Run by
Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD), Paid Leave
Who it covers
Washington workers who need time off to care for a family member with a serious health condition, bond with a new child, or for certain military family events. It is not for your own illness. For your own illness, see medical leave.
Benefit
Up to 90% of your weekly pay, up to $1,647 a week in 2026. Up to 12 weeks in your claim year (16 weeks combined with medical leave).
How to file
Apply online at paidleave.wa.gov.
Filing deadline
Apply within 30 days after your qualifying event happens.

Hearing offices and federal court in Washington

3 hearing offices serve Washington. Hearing office locator (Social Security)

Seattle, WA Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
Yesler Building, Suite 500, 300 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104-3389
Fax
(833) 656-0278

Spokane, WA Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
Suite 200, 714 N Iron Bridge Way, Spokane, WA 99202-4929
Fax
(833) 769-0245

Tacoma, WA Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
Suite 200, 2413 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402
Fax
(833) 953-2162

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 Western District of Washington

Court help for people without a lawyer

Counties covered (19)
  • Clallam
  • Clark
  • Cowlitz
  • Grays Harbor
  • Island
  • Jefferson
  • King
  • Kitsap
  • Lewis
  • Mason
  • Pacific
  • Pierce
  • San Juan
  • Skagit
  • Skamania
  • Snohomish
  • Thurston
  • Wahkiakum
  • Whatcom

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington

Court help for people without a lawyer

Counties covered (20)
  • Adams
  • Asotin
  • Benton
  • Chelan
  • Columbia
  • Douglas
  • Ferry
  • Franklin
  • Garfield
  • Grant
  • Kittitas
  • Klickitat
  • Lincoln
  • Okanogan
  • Pend Oreille
  • Spokane
  • Stevens
  • Walla Walla
  • Whitman
  • Yakima

Free help in Washington

Protection & Advocacy agency (P&A)

Disability Rights Washington

Phone
206-324-1521 (toll-free 800-562-2702)

Legal aid

Benefits counseling and work (WIPA)

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Washington State DSHS

ABLE savings account

Washington State ABLE Savings Plan

More free help across the country →

Good to know in Washington

  • Since July 1, 2026, Washington's state supplement is $33 a month for people who get SSI and are 65 or older or blind, and for people who get SSI and have a spouse who does not get SSI. DSHS, not Social Security, pays it. (WAC 388-478-0055; DSHS Eligibility A-Z Manual)
  • On December 8, 2025, Washington DVR closed all service categories and started a waitlist. People already in a plan keep getting services. (DSHS DVR)
  • Since January 1, 2026, Paid Leave job protection can apply if you work for a company with 25 or more employees in Washington and have worked there at least 180 days. (Paid Leave WA)

Recent changes

January 1, 2026: PFML maximum weekly benefit rose to $1,647 (from $1,542 in 2025, $1,456 in 2024), and job protection expanded to employers with 25+ Washington employees after 180 days of work (Paid Leave WA). July 1, 2026: WAC 388-478-0055 amended (WSR 26-11-010) - the SSP rate for aged and blind SSI recipients and SSI recipients with an ineligible spouse went down from $35.50 to $33.00. December 8, 2025: DVR waitlist (order of selection, all categories closed).

More RobinClaim guides for Washington → · All states

Sources

Last checked: November 2026