Social Security disability
Disability benefits in Wisconsin
Social Security rules are the same in every state. This page covers what is different in Wisconsin: 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 Wisconsin?
Disability Determination Bureau (DDB)
This state office makes the medical decision for Wisconsin residents who apply for Social Security disability (SSDI) or SSI. It also decides disability for some state Medicaid programs. Social Security checks the other rules, like work credits and income.
- Part of
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Medicaid Services
- Phone
- 844-671-8992 (toll-free; TTY 711)
- Fax for records
- 800-423-1939 (toll-free) or 608-266-8297 (Madison area)
- Disability Determination Bureau, PO Box 7886, Madison, WI 53707-7886
DDB may ask you to have a medical exam, free of charge, if your medical records do not give enough information. DDB asks you to go to all medical exams it schedules for you.
Does Wisconsin add money to SSI?
State SSI payment (state supplement)
If you get a federal SSI payment of any amount in Wisconsin, you also get the maximum state SSI payment. If you lose federal SSI, the state payment stops too. Some people with high care costs can get an extra exceptional expense supplement (SSI-E) of up to $105.59 a month, if a county agency certifies them. Parents who get SSI may be able to get a Caretaker Supplement.
Paid by: the state
| Who | State part | Total per month with SSI | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual living independently | $92.16 | $1,086.16 | May 2026 |
| Couple living independently (both eligible) | $145.26 | $1,636.26 | May 2026 |
| Couple living independently, one spouse eligible | $143.47 | $1,137.47 | May 2026 |
| Individual living in the household of another (federal one-third reduction) | $92.16 | $754.83 | May 2026 |
| Individual with the SSI-E exceptional expense supplement (licensed adult family home, small CBRF, certified RCAC, or 40+ hours of long-term support at home) | $197.75 | $1,191.75 | May 2026 |
| Couple with the SSI-E exceptional expense supplement | $525.16 | $2,016.16 | May 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 state SSI payment. Apply for SSI with Social Security. For SSI-E, contact your aging and disability resource center (ADRC) or county agency for an assessment.
- Contact
- ForwardHealth Member Services (state SSI payment questions)
800-362-3002
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ssi/links.htm
Medicaid in Wisconsin
If you get SSI in Wisconsin, you automatically get Medicaid (called SSI Medicaid, Medical Assistance or Title 19). You do not need a separate Medicaid application. If you get SSI and Medicare, the state pays your Medicare out-of-pocket costs, like premiums. If you do not get SSI, you can apply for SSI-Related Medicaid with your local agency.
- Program
- Wisconsin Medicaid (SSI Medicaid / SSI-Related Medicaid)
- Medicaid agency
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services - ForwardHealth
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/ssi-related.htm
800-362-3002 (ForwardHealth Member Services)
Medicaid for working people with disabilities: Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP)
MAPP gives Medicaid to adults with disabilities who work or want to work. You must be 18 or older, live in Wisconsin, and be found disabled by the Disability Determination Bureau. Your adjusted family income must be 250% of the federal poverty level or less, and your own assets $15,000 or less (your home, one car and ABLE accounts do not count). You must meet the MAPP work requirement. If your gross monthly income is above 100% of the poverty level, you pay a monthly premium. Apply online through ACCESS, by mail, or at your local agency.
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/medicaid-purchase-plan.htm
Medicare Savings Programs
If you get SSI payments and also have Medicare, Wisconsin automatically pays your Medicare premiums, deductibles and copayments (DHS SSI Benefits page).
State disability and paid leave in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has no state-run short-term disability or paid medical leave program listed here.
Hearing offices and federal court in Wisconsin
2 hearing offices serve Wisconsin. Hearing office locator (Social Security)
Madison, WI Hearing Office
Hearing office
- Address
- 3rd Floor, 2501 W. Beltline Highway, Madison, WI 53713
- Phone
- (877) 600-2854
- Fax
- (833) 330-0038
Milwaukee, WI Hearing Office
Hearing office
- Address
- Room 300W, 310 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203
- Phone
- (866) 495-0039
- Fax
- (833) 559-0772
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 Eastern District of Wisconsin
Court help for people without a lawyer
Counties covered (28)
- Florence
- Forest
- Marinette
- Langlade
- Menominee
- Oconto
- Shawano
- Door
- Waupaca
- Outagamie
- Brown
- Kewaunee
- Waushara
- Winnebago
- Calumet
- Manitowoc
- Marquette
- Green Lake
- Fond du Lac
- Sheboygan
- Dodge
- Washington
- Ozaukee
- Waukesha
- Milwaukee
- Walworth
- Racine
- Kenosha
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
Court help for people without a lawyer
Counties covered (44)
- Adams
- Ashland
- Barron
- Bayfield
- Buffalo
- Burnett
- Chippewa
- Clark
- Columbia
- Crawford
- Dane
- Douglas
- Dunn
- Eau Claire
- Grant
- Green
- Iowa
- Iron
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Juneau
- La Crosse
- Lafayette
- Lincoln
- Marathon
- Monroe
- Oneida
- Pepin
- Pierce
- Polk
- Portage
- Price
- Richland
- Rock
- Rusk
- Sauk
- St. Croix
- Sawyer
- Taylor
- Trempealeau
- Vernon
- Vilas
- Washburn
- Wood
Free help in Wisconsin
Legal aid
- Legal Action of Wisconsin · 855-947-2529
https://legalaction.org/services/public-benefits/
Benefits counseling and work (WIPA)
- Employment Resources Inc. - WIPA project · 877-826-1752
https://choosework.ssa.gov/findhelp
Serves: Wisconsin
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
- Phone
- 800-442-3477
Good to know in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin pays its own state SSI payment on top of federal SSI. As of May 2026, a person living on their own can get up to $1,086.16 a month in federal and state SSI combined. (WI DHS)
- Since January 1, 2026, Judicare Legal Aid and Legal Action of Wisconsin are one organization, Legal Action of Wisconsin, with one statewide intake line, 855-947-2529. (Judicare)
- Wisconsin has no state short-term disability or paid medical leave insurance program.
Recent changes
January 1, 2026: Judicare Legal Aid merged into Legal Action of Wisconsin (statewide intake 855-947-2529). DHS shows new state SSI payment levels 'as of May 2026' (individual $92.16, couple $145.26).
More RobinClaim guides for Wisconsin → · All states
Sources
- WI DHS - Disability Determination Bureau
- WI DHS - DDB Contacts
- WI DHS - How a Disability Determination is Made
- WI DHS - SSI in Wisconsin
- WI DHS - SSI Benefits (payment levels as of May 2026)
- WI DHS - SSI-E Exceptional Expense Supplement
- WI DHS - SSI Contacts and Resources
- WI DHS - SSI-Related Medicaid
- WI DHS - Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP)
- SSA POMS SI 01715.010 - Medicaid and the SSI Program
- SSA POMS SI 01415.010 - Administration of State Supplementary Programs
- WI DWD - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
- E.D. Wis. - Counties Served by Division
- W.D. Wis. - Jurisdiction
- Legal Action of Wisconsin - Public Benefits
- Judicare - merger notice
- LSC - Our Grantees
- NDRN - Member Agencies
- SSA Ticket to Work - Find Help
- SSA Choosework Find Help - WIPA results for WI
- Social Security: office locator
- Social Security: hearing office locator
Last checked: November 2026