1. What is Presumptive Disability

Presumptive disability (PD) allows the SSA to provide immediate, temporary SSI payments to individuals whose medical conditions are so severe that approval is highly likely. PD is not an official approval of benefits but rather an advance payment based on strong likelihood of eligibility.

2. Who Qualifies for Presumptive Disability in Florida

The SSA has identified specific conditions that commonly qualify for presumptive disability, including:

• Total blindness or total deafness
• Leg amputation at the hip
• Bed confinement and inability to walk without assistance
• Down syndrome (non-mosaic)
• End-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring chronic dialysis
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Severe intellectual disability in individuals aged 7 or older
• Symptomatic HIV or AIDS

Other conditions may also qualify if medical evidence strongly indicates severe, long-term disability. SSA field office staff or Disability Determination Services (DDS) in Florida make the PD decision based on initial documentation.

3. How Presumptive Disability Payments Work

Here is how presumptive disability functions:

• You apply for SSI benefits and your condition is identified as likely qualifying for PD.
• SSA begins making payments immediately (within days to weeks of your application).
• PD payments can continue for up to six months while your claim is fully processed.
• Payments stop if your disability claim is formally approved (you continue receiving regular SSI) or denied (PD payments end).

4. Are Presumptive Disability Payments Repayable

No. Even if your disability claim is ultimately denied, you do not have to repay presumptive disability payments received during the evaluation period. These payments are designed to support urgent financial needs for those who appear highly likely to qualify.

5. How to Apply for Presumptive Disability in Florida

You do not submit a separate application for PD. Instead:

• File your SSI application at your local SSA office, online at www.ssa.gov, or by phone.
• Clearly provide detailed medical information about your condition, including recent hospital records, diagnoses, and physician contact information.
• The SSA field office staff or DDS evaluator will determine PD eligibility based on your reported condition and evidence at the time of application.

6. Does SSDI Have Presumptive Disability

Presumptive disability payments are generally available for SSI applicants, not SSDI-only applicants. However, if you are applying for both SSI and SSDI, PD payments may be issued under the SSI portion while your SSDI claim is processed.

7. Benefits of Presumptive Disability

Presumptive disability provides significant advantages for severely disabled individuals:

• Immediate financial support while awaiting a full disability decision
• Payments can be used for housing, food, medical care, and other essential living expenses
• Reduces financial strain during the long evaluation process

8. Limitations of Presumptive Disability

• PD does not guarantee your claim will be approved; it is based on likelihood, not certainty.
• Payments are temporary (up to six months) and end if your claim is denied.
• Only certain conditions qualify, and proof of severity is required to initiate payments.