What financial aid is available to people with disabilities

If you are a person with a disability, several programs can provide money or help pay for living expenses, medical care, or work-related costs. The programs available to you depend on your citizenship status, age, work history, and the type of disability you have. Some programs are based on your income and assets; others are not. Some require you to have worked before; others do not.

The main federal programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and various state and local programs. Beyond these, you may also find aid through vocational rehabilitation, housing information, food programs, and medical coverage. This guide explains what each program does and who typically receives it.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes; SSI is for people with low income and assets, regardless of work history.
  • You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to receive SSI or SSDI, but citizenship or legal residency status affects which programs you can access.
  • State programs, housing aid, food information, and Medicaid are separate from SSDI and SSI and have their own rules about who can receive them.
  • Vocational rehabilitation programs help people with disabilities return to work and may pay for training, equipment, or job coaching.
  • Many people receive money from more than one program at the same time.

SSDI: For people with a work history

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays monthly benefits to people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes, and who now have a disability that prevents substantial work. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to receive SSDI. You must have earned enough work credits—typically by working for at least five of the last ten years—before your disability began.

The amount you receive is based on your own earnings record, not on your income or assets now. If you are approved, your family members (spouse, children, ex-spouse) may also receive benefits based on your record. SSDI also includes Medicare coverage after you have been on the program for two years.

To receive SSDI, the Social Security Administration must find that your condition meets their definition of disability: it must prevent you from doing substantial work, be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and be supported by medical evidence. The approval process typically takes three to six months, though many people are denied on the first process and must appeal.

SSI: For people with low income and assets

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that pays monthly benefits to people with disabilities, blindness, or who are age 65 or older, and who have limited income and assets. Unlike SSDI, you do not need a work history to receive SSI. Your monthly income must be below a certain amount (which varies by state), and your assets must be under $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.

SSI also requires that you be a U.S. citizen, a national, or a may have access to non-citizen. may have access to non-citizens include people with a green card, refugees, asylees, and certain other immigration statuses. If you are not in one of these categories, you cannot receive SSI, though you may still be able to receive SSDI if you have a work history.

SSI recipients automatically receive Medicaid in most states. The program also has rules about what you can own and earn while receiving benefits. If you work, part of your earnings are not counted against your SSI payment, which means you can earn some money without losing all your benefits.

State disability programs and supplemental payments

Many states run their own disability programs that add money on top of SSI or provide benefits to people who do not meet federal requirements. These programs are called State Supplementary Payments (SSP) in some states and have different names in others. The amount and rules vary widely by state.

Some states also run programs for people with specific disabilities—for example, programs for people who are blind, or programs for people with developmental disabilities. Your state's disability office or your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you what programs exist in your state and whether you may be able to receive them.

To find your state program, contact your state's Department of Social Services, Department of Human Services, or equivalent agency. You can also call 211 (a free referral service) and ask what state disability programs are available to you.

Housing, food, and medical aid programs

Beyond cash payments, several programs help pay for housing, food, and medical care. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers help pay rent; public housing provides affordable apartments directly. The Supplemental Nutrition information Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) helps pay for food. Medicaid covers medical care and is available to people with disabilities who meet income and asset limits.

These programs have separate applications and rules from SSDI and SSI. You can receive housing aid, food information, and Medicaid at the same time you receive SSDI or SSI. In fact, if you receive SSI, you are usually already enrolled in Medicaid in your state. Income and asset limits for these programs are often higher than for SSI, which means you may be able to receive them even if you do not meet SSI requirements.

To explore for these programs, contact your local housing authority (for housing), your state's SNAP office (for food information), or your state's Medicaid office (for medical coverage). Many local nonprofits and community action agencies can help you explore.

Vocational rehabilitation and work support programs

If you want to work or return to work, vocational rehabilitation programs can help. Your state's vocational rehabilitation agency (often called VR or DVR) can pay for training, education, assistive equipment, job coaching, and other services to help you find and keep a job. You do not have to be receiving SSDI or SSI to use vocational rehabilitation.

If you are receiving SSDI or SSI and you work, you may be able to use work incentives that let you earn money without losing all your benefits. These include the Student Earned Income Exclusion (for students under 22), the Earned Income Exclusion (which excludes part of your wages), and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a work goal. A benefits planning service can explain how work will affect your specific benefits.

To find your state vocational rehabilitation agency, search "[your state] vocational rehabilitation" or contact your state's Department of Education or Department of Human Services. To learn about work incentives, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office.

How citizenship and immigration status affect which programs you can receive

Your ability to receive financial aid depends partly on your citizenship or immigration status. U.S. citizens can receive all programs described here. may have access to non-citizens—including people with a green card, refugees, asylees, and certain other statuses—can receive SSI, SSDI, and most state and local programs. People who are not in a may have access to category cannot receive SSI but may still receive SSDI if they have a work history.

Immigration status does not affect whether you can receive SSDI, housing aid, food information, or vocational rehabilitation in most cases. It does affect SSI and some state programs. If you are uncertain about your status or whether you can receive a specific program, contact a local legal aid organization or immigration attorney. Many organizations offer free consultations.

You can also contact your state's disability office or call 211 to ask which programs are open to you based on your immigration status. Be honest about your status—providing false information on a benefits process can result in criminal charges and deportation proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSDI and SSI at the same time?

No. If you are approved for both, you will receive only SSDI because it is considered the primary program. However, some people receive SSDI and also receive state supplementary payments or housing and food information at the same time.

What happens to my benefits if I work?

If you receive SSDI, you can earn up to $1,550 per month (in 2024) without losing benefits during a nine-month trial work period. After that, benefits continue for three more months even if you earn more. If you receive SSI, part of your earnings are not counted, which means you can earn some money without losing all your payment. A benefits planning service can show you exactly how work will affect your benefits.

How long does it take to be approved for SSDI or SSI?

Initial decisions usually take three to six months. If you are denied, you can appeal. The appeal process can take several more months to over a year. Many people are approved only after appealing. You can work with a disability representative or attorney to help with your case.

Do I have to report my disability to immigration or law enforcement?

No. Receiving disability benefits does not affect your immigration status or create any obligation to report to immigration authorities. explore for benefits does not trigger immigration enforcement. However, providing false information on any government process can have serious consequences.

What if I was denied SSDI or SSI? Can I try again?

Yes. You can appeal a denial, and you can also reapply if your condition has worsened or if you have new medical evidence. Many people are approved on appeal or after reapplying. A disability representative or attorney can review your case and advise you on whether appealing or reapplying makes sense for your situation.