Matt Rice
December 9, 2025
When you’re navigating a disability claim, every benefit, from state programs to federal support, can feel like another puzzle piece you’re trying to fit into place. One of the most common questions we hear is: “What exactly is State Disability, and how does it interact with my SSDI claim?”
It’s a great question, and an important one. Only a few states (and Puerto Rico) offer their own disability insurance programs and understanding how these benefits work can make a big difference as you move through the Social Security Disability process.
Below, we walk you through what State Disability is, where it’s offered, and how these benefits might affect your SSDI claim, so you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and the support you deserve.
State Disability is a short-term income replacement program offered by only a few states. Its purpose is to help workers who can’t work for a temporary period because of an illness, injury, or pregnancy that isn’t related to their job.
Think of it as a temporary safety net: While you’re unable to work, State Disability helps replace a portion of your paycheck so you can keep up with your basic needs.
Only a handful of places in the U.S. offer their own state-sponsored disability insurance programs:
Each state (and Puerto Rico) has its own rules, timelines, and eligibility requirements. Here’s a quick overview of what each program looks like:
California provides short-term disability insurance and Paid Family Leave (PFL) for eligible workers who need to take time off due to a non-work-related injury, illness, or to care for a family member.
Hawaii’s Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program has been in place since 1969. It offers partial wage-replacement for non-work-related injuries, illnesses, or pregnancy.
In New York, employers must provide disability coverage for employees who experience an off-the-job illness or injury.
Rhode Island pays benefits for weeks when a worker is unable to work due to a temporary disability or injury.
New Jersey’s Temporary Disability Insurance program provides benefits if an injury, illness, or pregnancy prevents you from working and the condition is not work-related.
Puerto Rico offers up to 26 weeks of disability benefits for non-work-related conditions.
Some people apply for SSDI while already receiving state disability benefits. When that happens, the question becomes: Will my SSDI be affected?
Three locations currently require a direct offset, meaning Social Security may reduce your SSDI payment based on what you receive from your state program:
If you live in one of these areas, it’s very important to share proof of your State Disability benefits with your SSDI advocate. This helps Social Security calculate your benefit accurately and prevents delays or incorrect payments.
Provide Social Security with:
This information ensures your SSDI payments are correctly offset.
At this time, Social Security does not reduce SSDI benefits for State Disability payments from New York or New Jersey. However, these states may have what’s known as a reverse offset, where the state adjusts its benefit based on what you receive from SSDI.
Because state rules can change, it’s always wise to:
Understanding how different benefits interact can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with health challenges. Our role as disability advocates is to help you make sense of the process, avoid surprises, and feel more confident as you move through your SSDI claim.
If you have questions about State Disability or how it might affect your claim, please reach out to us or contact your local Social Security office. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Nothing in this post is intended as advice or a suggestion to elect or not elect to claim benefits of any kind, including Social Security benefits, nor is it intended as financial advice in any way. The decision to claim benefits is a personal one that depends on your unique circumstances.
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At Advocator Advantage, we understand that navigating SSDI, Medicare, and the Ticket to Work program can be complex and overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to address any questions or concerns you may have along your journey.
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