Many people with disabilities qualify for federal and state assistance programs that have nothing to do with SSI or SSDI. Whether you receive those cash benefits or not, there are programs covering healthcare, food, housing, utilities, phone service, tax savings, and more that may be available to you right now. This guide breaks down the major programs, current eligibility thresholds, and how to apply.
Use our free benefits screener to check which programs you may qualify for based on your income, household size, and situation.
Healthcare: Medicaid and HCBS Waivers
Medicaid is the largest health coverage program for people with disabilities. It covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and long-term services. If you receive SSI, most states automatically enroll you in Medicaid. But you can also qualify for Medicaid independently, based on income, without receiving SSI at all.
For adults with disabilities who need help with daily living activities, states offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers. These waivers cover services like personal care attendants, adult day programs, respite care, and assistive technology that allow you to stay at home rather than in a nursing facility.
Key eligibility benchmarks for Medicaid (2026):
| Household Size | Income Limit (Medicaid Expansion States) |
|---|
| 1 person | $21,597/year (138% FPL) |
| 2 people | $29,157/year (138% FPL) |
| 3 people | $36,717/year (138% FPL) |
| 4 people | $44,277/year (138% FPL) |
HCBS waiver income limits vary by state. Many states use 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate as the cap, which equals approximately $2,982/month in 2026. Contact your state Medicaid office for the exact rules in your state.
How to apply for Medicaid:
- Visit healthcare.gov or your state's Medicaid portal
- Complete an eligibility application with income and household information
- Submit documentation of disability if applying under a disability category
- Your state agency will notify you of eligibility, typically within 45 days
Food Assistance: SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly funds on an EBT card to buy groceries. Households with a disabled member receive special treatment under SNAP rules, which makes it easier to qualify.
Special SNAP rules for people with disabilities:
- The gross income test is waived if your household contains an elderly or disabled member and you pass the net income test
- Net income limit is 100% of the Federal Poverty Level
- A higher medical expense deduction applies, reducing countable income further
- Asset limits are higher: $4,250 for households with a disabled member (vs. $2,750 for others)
2026 SNAP income limits for households with a disabled member (net income):
| Household Size | Net Monthly Income Limit (100% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 person | $1,255/month |
| 2 people | $1,704/month |
| 3 people | $2,152/month |
| 4 people | $2,601/month |
| Each additional person | +$449/month |
Maximum monthly SNAP benefits for the 2025-2026 fiscal year:
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
|---|
| 1 person | $292 |
| 2 people | $536 |
| 3 people | $768 |
| 4 people | $975 |
How to apply for SNAP:
- Find your state SNAP office at fns.usda.gov or search "[your state] SNAP application"
- Submit an application online, by mail, or in person
- Complete an interview by phone or in person
- Provide documentation of income, household members, and disability if applicable
- Benefits typically begin within 30 days of applying
Housing Assistance: Section 8 and HUD Programs
The Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) helps low-income households pay for private market rentals. People with disabilities can receive priority placement on waiting lists at many local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), and can request reasonable accommodations.
Accommodations available to disabled applicants include:
- Extra bedroom for a live-in aide or medical equipment
- Additional time to find a unit after receiving a voucher (beyond the standard 60 days)
- Accessible unit preference
HUD also administers the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program, which provides funding specifically for accessible rental units. Eligibility requires being at least 18 years old, having a documented disability, and meeting income limits at 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or below.
How to apply for housing assistance:
- Find your local PHA at hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts
- Check whether the waitlist is currently open (many PHAs have closed lists due to high demand)
- Submit an application and documentation of income and disability
- Request any reasonable accommodations needed for the application process in writing
- Once housed, renew your voucher annually and report income changes
Energy Assistance: LIHEAP
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and cooling bills. Funding comes from the federal government and is distributed through states, which set their own income limits. Most states cap eligibility at 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, though some go up to 60% of State Median Income.
How to apply for LIHEAP:
- Search "[your state] LIHEAP" to find your state program and local contact
- Apply through your state agency or community action agency
- Provide proof of income, utility bills, and household size
- Applications are typically accepted on a seasonal basis, with heating assistance in fall and winter
Phone and Internet: Lifeline
The FCC's Lifeline program provides a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on phone or internet service. You qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Level, or if you participate in a qualifying program such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or Federal Public Housing Assistance.
2026 Lifeline income limits (135% FPL):
| Household Size | Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 person | $20,602 |
| 2 people | $27,850 |
| 3 people | $35,099 |
| 4 people | $42,347 |
People on Tribal lands may receive a higher monthly discount of up to $34.25. Some states also have additional telecom assistance programs that stack with federal Lifeline support.
How to apply for Lifeline:
- Go to lifelinesupport.org to apply through the National Verifier
- Select whether you qualify by income or program participation
- Submit documentation to verify eligibility
- Choose a participating service provider and activate your discount
ABLE Accounts: Tax-Free Savings That Protect Your Benefits
An ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account lets people with disabilities save money without losing eligibility for Medicaid, SSI, or other means-tested benefits. Funds grow tax-free and withdrawals for qualified disability expenses are also tax-free.
Qualified expenses include housing, transportation, education, employment training, assistive technology, personal support services, and health and wellness expenses.
2025 ABLE account contribution limits:
- Annual contribution limit: $19,000 (from all contributors combined)
- Additional contribution for working ABLE account holders: up to $15,650 for those in the continental U.S. (the prior year's federal poverty level for a one-person household)
- SSI exemption: up to $100,000 in your ABLE account does not count against SSI asset limits
- Medicaid and SNAP do not count any ABLE account funds as a resource
Eligibility for ABLE accounts:
You must have a qualifying disability that began before age 26 (this threshold increases to age 46 for accounts opened on or after January 1, 2026, under the SECURE 2.0 Act provisions).
How to open an ABLE account:
- Visit ablenrc.org to compare ABLE programs across states
- You can enroll in any state's ABLE program regardless of where you live
- Open an account online through your chosen state's program
- Begin making contributions from yourself, family members, or employers
Tax Credits: EITC and Other Deductions
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
If you work and have low to moderate income, you may qualify for the EITC. People with disabilities are specifically addressed in IRS guidance, and disability-related payments from employer plans may count as earned income for EITC purposes.
2025 EITC maximum credit amounts:
| Filing Status | No Children | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3+ Children |
|---|
| Single/Head of Household | $632 | $4,213 | $6,960 | $7,830 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $632 | $4,213 | $6,960 | $7,830 |
Income limits for 2025 range from about $18,591 (no children, single) to $66,819 (three or more children, married).
Child Tax Credit
Parents with qualifying children, including children with disabilities, may claim up to $2,000 per child for 2025. Up to $1,700 is refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit.
Medical Expense Deduction
You can deduct unreimbursed medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. This includes disability-related expenses such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, home modifications for accessibility, and service animal costs.
Disability Tax Credit
If you retired on permanent and total disability before age 65, you may qualify for the Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled, worth between $3,750 and $7,500 depending on your filing status and income.
Vocational Rehabilitation
State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs help people with disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain employment. Services can include job training, education funding, assistive technology, workplace modifications, and transportation assistance. These programs are federally funded through the Rehabilitation Act and administered by each state.
How to apply for VR services:
- Find your state VR agency at rsa.ed.gov/about/states
- Apply by contacting the agency directly by phone, online, or in person
- Complete an intake interview to assess needs
- Work with a counselor to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)
Work Incentives for SSDI and SSI Recipients
If you receive SSDI or SSI and want to return to work, several programs protect your benefits while you test your ability to work.
Ticket to Work: A voluntary program providing free employment services through approved providers. Participation also protects you from Continuing Disability Reviews while actively working toward employment goals.
Trial Work Period (SSDI): Lets you test your ability to work for up to 9 months. In 2026, any month where you earn $1,210 or more counts as a trial work month. Your SSDI benefits continue through the entire trial work period.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) thresholds for 2026:
- Non-blind individuals: $1,690/month
- Blind individuals: $2,830/month
How to Check All Your Benefits at Once
Applying for each program separately is time-consuming, and many people miss programs they qualify for simply because they do not know about them. Our free screener at benefitsusa.org checks eligibility across 11+ federal and state programs simultaneously. You enter your ZIP code, household size, income, and situation, and the tool identifies which programs you likely qualify for and what steps to take next.
There is no cost to use the screener, no account required, and no obligation to apply for anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I qualify for Medicaid without being on SSI or SSDI?
Yes. Medicaid eligibility is based primarily on income and, in some cases, a documented disability. In the 41 states (plus D.C.) that expanded Medicaid under the ACA, adults with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify regardless of disability status. States also have separate Medicaid pathways for people with disabilities that have different income and asset rules.
Does having an ABLE account affect my SSI benefits?
Up to $100,000 saved in an ABLE account does not count against the $2,000 SSI asset limit. If your ABLE account balance exceeds $100,000, SSI payments are suspended (not terminated) until the balance drops back below that threshold. Medicaid continues regardless of ABLE account balance.
What is the difference between Medicaid and Medicare for people with disabilities?
Medicaid is income-based and covers low-income individuals of any age. Medicare is primarily age-based (65+) but also covers people who have received SSDI benefits for 24 months. Many people with disabilities qualify for both, which is called "dual eligibility." When you have both, Medicare generally pays first and Medicaid covers remaining costs.
Can I get SNAP if I don't receive SSI?
Yes. SNAP is a separate program with its own income rules. Households with a disabled member have more favorable rules, including a waived gross income test and a higher medical expense deduction. You apply for SNAP independently through your state agency.
What housing programs are specifically for people with disabilities?
The HUD Section 811 program provides rental assistance specifically for non-elderly adults with disabilities. The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program is open to all low-income households but offers priority and reasonable accommodations for disabled applicants. Many states and cities also have additional housing programs for people with specific disabilities.
Are there benefits for people with disabilities who work?
Yes. Work does not automatically disqualify you from assistance programs. SNAP has earned income deductions. Medicaid covers working adults in expansion states. ABLE accounts allow employed people with disabilities to save additional amounts above the standard contribution limit. Vocational Rehabilitation programs specifically support disabled people seeking employment.
How do I find local disability assistance programs in my state?
Start with your state's Medicaid and social services agencies, which often administer or can refer you to state-funded programs beyond what is listed here. Our screener checks 11+ programs and includes state-specific results based on your ZIP code.
