The State Disability Assistance (SDA) program provides cash assistance to persons who are disabled for at least 90 days, or are needed to provide assistance for at least 90 days to a person who lives with you and is disabled.  You may be considered disabled for purposes of SDA if you are

• An active Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) client
• Attending school and approved for special education services
• Approved for disability-based Medicaid
• A refugee or asylee cut off SSI because of time limits
• Living in a substance abuse treatment center, adult foster care, home for the aged, or county infirmary
• Diagnosed with AIDS
• A person with disability that meets Social Security’s definition of disability (even if not  expected to last 12 months)

 

SDA provides cash assistance of up to $264 per month for an individual living in his or her own home.  If you have income, the SDA payment will be reduced.   Different rates apply to couples and persons in special living arrangements.  

Repay Agreements

People often apply for SDA to help make ends meet while their application for SSI or Social Security is pending.  These applicants are required to sign a paper that allows the Michigan Department of Human Services to keep any  SSI necessary to pay itself back for any SDA the client received while the SSI application was pending. 

Asset Limits 

DHS recently changed its policy regarding how and when it computes an applicants assets for purposes of SDA.  For more information, click on the link below.

New DHS policy allows SDA eligibility if assets drop below $3000 any time in month of application.