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How to Apply for Disability Benefits in Hawaii

Written by

Jackie Jakab

Lead Attorney

Published June 28, 2024

2 min read

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Atticus offers free, high-quality disability advice for Americans who can't work. Our team of Stanford and Harvard-trained lawyers has a combined 15+ years of legal experience and has helped over 50,000 Americans apply for disability benefits.

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If you are a resident of the state of Hawaii and are unable to work due to an illness or injury, you might qualify for federal or state disability benefits. Over 22,000 Hawaiians receive benefit payments because of a disability. Read on to learn how to apply for disability in Hawaii and the different programs available.

Disability benefits in Hawaii

There are five disability programs available for residents of Hawaii:

Hawaii Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI). TDI is a statewide program that covers recipients for a maximum of 26 weeks for up to 58% of their former wages. To be eligible, you must have a non-work-related injury or illness that temporarily prevents you from working, and have worked at least 14 weeks for 20 hours or more in the state.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSDI is a federal program that provides benefits (and Medicare) to those who have worked before (typically for at least five of the last 10 years) but are unable to continue working because of a medical condition.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you haven’t worked much (or at all) and your income and assets are limited, SSI (which pays disability benefits and provides Medicaid coverage) might be a good fit for you.
Veterans disability benefits. VA benefits are for active and retired veterans who are unable to work due to an injury or illness sustained due to military service. In some cases, you can get VA benefits and SSDI or SSI at the same time.
Long-term or short-term disability insurance. Finally, Hawaii residents also have the option to purchase a private disability policy from an insurance company, which can pay out up to 60% of your former paycheck.

Get personalized advice about your options.

How to apply for TDI in Hawaii

In addition to federal benefit programs like SSDI and SSI, Hawaii offers a short-term benefits program for state residents who are temporarily unable to work because of an injury or illness (for example, COVID-19, an injury, pregnancy, or recovery from surgery). This is called Hawaii Temporary Disability Insurance, or TDI.

It’s faster and easier to get disability benefits from TDI than from the SSA. However, the maximum amount you can receive through Hawaii TDI is $765 per week (for a total of 26 weeks).

To be eligible for Hawaii TDI, you need to have 14 weeks of employment working 20 hours or more in the state. You’ll also need to wait seven days after your injury or illness begins before you apply (but you must file your claim within 90 days from the date of disability). You will be more likely to qualify if you’re currently receiving care from a licensed healthcare provider.

To start your application, visit Hawaii’s Disability Compensation Division, and go through the following steps for filing a TDI claim:

Immediately notify your employer of your disability.
Ask your employer for Form TDI-45 (Claim for TDI Benefits).
Complete Part A of the form.
Ask your employer to complete Part B of the form.
Ask your doctor to complete Part C of the form.
Mail the form to your employer’s TDI insurance company.

Your employer or the insurance carrier will contact you about your entitlement to benefits.

If your medical condition is expected to be long-term (lasting for a year or longer) SSDI or SSI may be the better fit.

SSDI applicants must qualify as disabled under government rules. They also need an extensive work history — you’re likely eligible if you’ve worked (and paid taxes) for at least five out of the last ten years.

On the other hand, SSI might be the better option if you have very little income and few assets (less than $2,000, or $3,000 if you’re married). And, again, you’ll need to meet the SSA’s criteria for disability.

Once you’ve determined your eligibility, you can start your application for Social Security disability benefits in Hawaii by:

Collecting paperwork (such as medical records, work history, and financial information)
Filling out the disability application
Submitting your application online, over the phone, or at your local SSA office (see below)

80% of applications are initially rejected. Don’t get discouraged if your application is denied the first time. You can, and should, appeal the decision.

If you’re denied a second time, you can request a hearing, where an administrative law judge will consider your case. In Hawaii, the average wait time to get a disability hearing is 18 months.

SSA offices in Hawaii

There are five SSA offices in the state of Hawaii. They are open for both walk-ins and appointments. You can visit to apply in person or to get assistance related to your application.

Hilo

111 E Puainako St Ste 710

Hilo, HI 96720