Last Updated on May 24, 2022 by Deborah L. Hardin
Question: What happens to my benefits if I move to another state? Will I have to re-apply?
Dear Reader:
People move all the time for a variety of reasons: new job or job transfer, to be closer to family (or to get away from family – ha!), cost of living, weather, taxes, etc…
What happens to your SSDI or SSI benefits when you move to a different state? Do you have to reapply and start the entire process over again?
No. You do not have to reapply. Your benefits will generally move with you. There are some things that you need to understand, however.
SSDI and SSI are two different programs and will be affected differently by moving to a new state.
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is a federal program, so your approval (or application) will carry over from one state to another. The amount you get paid is based upon how many years you have worked and your earnings during those years. This amount should not change when you move. See this publication from SSA called What You Need to Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is also a federal program, so transferring your benefits or application from one state to another should not be a problem. However, many states supplement the federal payment with additional funding. Each state can decide how much extra to add to the monthly payment, if any at all. Therefore, if you move from one state to another, your SSI payment amount is likely to change. See this page from SSA called Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits for a list of the states that supplement the federal payment. To find out how much extra a specific state adds to the federal amount, call a local SSA office in that state.
Bottom line: You should* be able move and keep your benefits. However, if you receive SSI, the amount of your monthly benefit may change.
Good luck and best wishes!
Deborah L Hardin, Managing Attorney
*PS – You should be able to keep your benefits, but hey – we are talking about the government so things can and do get messed up!
