People with disabilities may qualify for several types of government benefits and support in the United States. Depending on your circumstances, assistance can include monthly disability payments, healthcare coverage, food assistance, housing support, transportation, employment services, and help with personal care.
The programs available depend on factors such as disability status, income, resources, work history, age, household circumstances, and where you live. Some programs are federal, while others are administered by individual states.
Who May Qualify for Government Disability Benefits
Government assistance may be available to:
- Adults with qualifying disabilities
- Children with qualifying disabilities
- People who are blind
- People with limited income and resources
- Workers who became unable to work because of a disability
- People who need long-term care or personal assistance
- People who need help with housing, food, healthcare, or other basic expenses
- Families caring for a person with a disability
Having a disability does not automatically qualify someone for every benefit. Each program has its own eligibility requirements.
Check What You May Qualify For
Checking your potential eligibility is free. OpenGrants Network can help you explore assistance programs that may fit your situation.
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Programs vary based on disability, income, location, work history, and other factors.
Major Government Benefits for Disabled People
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income can provide monthly payments to people with qualifying disabilities or blindness who have limited income and resources. Children with qualifying disabilities may also qualify.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI provides benefits to people with qualifying disabilities who have worked long enough in jobs covered by Social Security and earned the required work credits. Unlike SSI, SSDI is primarily based on work history rather than limited income and resources.
Medicaid
Medicaid provides healthcare coverage to eligible low-income people, including people with disabilities. Medicaid is administered by states under federal requirements, so eligibility and covered services can differ by state. For people receiving SSI, Medicaid eligibility may be automatic in many states, while some states require a separate Medicaid application.
Medicare Disability Benefits
Some people receiving Social Security disability benefits may become eligible for Medicare. Medicare can help cover healthcare costs, although premiums, deductibles, and covered services depend on the specific coverage.
Home and Community-Based Services
Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services, often called HCBS, can help eligible people receive services in their homes or communities rather than in institutional settings. Depending on the state and program, services may include personal care, home health assistance, case management, respite care, supported employment, habilitation, and other services.
SNAP Food Assistance
People with disabilities may qualify for SNAP if they meet the program's eligibility requirements. SSI recipients may also qualify for SNAP depending on their circumstances and state rules. SNAP can help eligible households purchase food and reduce the amount of income needed for groceries.
Housing Assistance
People with disabilities may qualify for housing assistance depending on income, household circumstances, disability status, and local program requirements. Potential options can include:
- Housing Choice Vouchers
- Public housing
- Subsidized housing
- Accessible housing
- Local rental assistance
- Supportive housing programs
Waiting lists can be long, so checking several available programs may be useful.
Employment and Vocational Rehabilitation
State vocational rehabilitation programs can help eligible people with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. Services may include employment counseling, training, job placement, assistive technology, and other support depending on the individual's needs and state program.
Disability-Related State Benefits
States may offer additional assistance for residents with disabilities. Programs can include healthcare, transportation, personal assistance, housing support, utility assistance, tax relief, employment services, and other benefits. Because these programs differ by state, checking your state's disability and benefits agencies is important.
How Government Disability Benefits Typically Work
- Identify the type of help you need, such as income, healthcare, food, housing, or personal care.
- Check the eligibility requirements for each program.
- Gather documentation, which may include medical records, income information, work history, identification, and household information.
- Apply through the appropriate government agency.
- Respond to requests for additional information.
- Keep copies of applications and notices.
- Appeal a decision if you believe an application was incorrectly denied and an appeal is available.
Social Security uses its own definition of disability, and disability determinations can involve medical evidence, work history, and other eligibility requirements.