Disability Benefits by State 2026

Massachusetts

Massachusetts is the highest-ranked state for disabled people. There are a variety of reasons for this ranking. One important factor is that 98.3% of disabled residents have health insurance, the highest percentage in the country. Having access to health care ensures that people can handle the medical needs resulting from their disability. Massachusetts also has the fourth-highest number of Medicare providers per capita.

Massachusetts also has a strong system of public transit, especially in major cities. This makes it much easier to get around, as those who have a disability prefer to live in larger cities that have access to healthcare and can move around much more easily than in the suburban centers or the countryside. This also gives people access to more jobs. While Massachusetts has a 15% unemployment rate for disabled individuals, it also has relatively high median earnings for disabled individuals at almost $24,000.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania ranks as one of the highest and most livable states for those who are living with a disability. First of all, Pennsylvania has a very high transit score, and a much higher ease of access, especially within its largest cities - including Pittsburgh. The minimum wage in Pennsylvania is the 8th lowest in the country, which may not be as bad as it sounds. The reflection of minimum wage in the state reflects the minimum living standard that one needs to have access to food and shelter.

On top of this, more than 96.6% of the population has health insurance, which is the 15th highest in the nation. About 80% of those within the state of Pennsylvania that are receiving disability benefits have said that they have more than enough access to affordable healthcare and home care.

Vermont

Vermont ranks very highly in many categories, especially for those who are living and accessing life with a disability. Economic conditions, livability, and health care are among the top metrics in the state, which outranks many other states when looked at on a holistic scale. 98% of those who are living with a disability are insured, even if the state has some of the lowest median annual earnings. Further, still, the cost of healthcare in the state is one of the lowest.

Vermont’s beautiful nature and the great outdoors have a great way of uplifting moods and keeping everyone happy and healthy, making it difficult to further exacerbate disabilities with illnesses and viruses. About 18% of people within the state of Vermont that has some sort of disability have stated that they cannot have full healthcare coverage, which is the second lowest state in the entire country on this metric.

North Dakota

One of the most surprising additions to the list is North Dakota, which is not a usual contender for this position. Being a Midwestern state, it is not extremely common that the affordability of the area is contrasted by the number of benefits that are offered not only to those with a disability but to every citizen within the state. North Dakota has the highest rate of participation within the labor force with a whopping 58% among those who are disabled. The lowest unemployment rate is also in this state, as low as 6%.

North Dakota has the highest participation in the Ticket to Work Office program, which provides career services free of charge to those who are receiving social security as a result of their disability. The median earnings for the disabled are north of 26,000 annually, which has a lot of carrying power in North Dakota, being a Midwestern state. In fact, the median wage is around the minimum hourly wage, which is complimented further by the benefits received - providing a much better quality of life.