Living with a disability affects nearly every part of daily life — income, housing, health care, and the ability to manage basic bills. The programs on this page address those needs directly: monthly cash benefits, health coverage, home care, food assistance, housing resources, and support while waiting for a benefit decision. Some programs are federal and available everywhere. Others are run by individual states and vary significantly in what they offer and who qualifies.

This page is organized by topic so you can go directly to what you need most. Each section links to a detailed guide on that topic. A state-by-state directory at the bottom connects to pages covering what your specific state offers for residents with disabilities — those pages cover programs that go well beyond federal benefits, including state-specific Medicaid waivers, home care programs, assistive technology, employment services, and savings accounts for people with disabilities.

If you want to read what others with disabilities are doing to find help or make ends meet, the moderated community discussion forum has real-world experiences from people across the country — including questions answered by moderators and others who have been through the application process.

Monthly Cash Benefits and Financial Assistance - Social Security Disability: SSI and SSDI

The two main federal disability income programs are Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance. They are different programs with different rules, and it matters which one you apply for. Many people may also qualify for both programs at the same time, called concurrent benefits. The rules for how payments interact are specific and worth reviewing when applying.

Supplemental Security Income — SSI pays monthly benefits to people with disabilities who have very limited income and resources. It does not require any work history. SSI is funded by general tax revenue and is available to both adults and children with qualifying disabilities. The monthly payment amount is based on financial need, and receiving SSI often opens access to Medicaid health coverage as well. Learn more at https://www.ssa.gov/ssi or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Social Security Disability Insurance — SSDI pays monthly benefits based on your prior work history and payroll contributions to Social Security. You must have worked long enough under Social Security to qualify, and the amount you receive depends on your earnings record — not your current income. SSDI recipients generally become eligible for Medicare after a waiting period. Full details are at https://www.ssa.gov/disability or 1-800-772-1213.

Veterans Disability Compensation

Veterans with service-connected disabilities may qualify for monthly compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Benefit amounts are based on the severity of the disability rating. This is separate from SSI and SSDI, and qualifying veterans may receive all three. For detailed information on disability claims and benefits for veterans, including expedited processing options the VA and Social Security offer to wounded warriors, see the dedicated guide. The VA's main line is 1-800-827-1000.

TANF and State Cash Assistance While Disabled

For people who cannot work due to a disability and have very low income, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families — TANF — may provide short-term cash while a disability application is pending or during a temporary medical crisis. Many states run their own version of this program under a different name. Benefits are time-limited and subject to income rules, but can help cover rent, utilities, and basic household expenses during a gap. The TANF benefits guide covers how the program works and how to apply.

Grants and Nonprofit Financial Help

Some nonprofit organizations provide direct financial assistance to people with disabilities for specific expenses such as utilities, transportation to medical care, adaptive equipment, and other essential costs. Eligibility generally requires proof of disability and documentation of financial need. The disability grants guide covers how to find and apply for this type of help.

ABLE Accounts: Saving Without Losing Benefits

People with qualifying disabilities can open an ABLE account — a tax-advantaged savings account that lets you save money for disability-related expenses without those savings counting against the asset limits for SSI or Medicaid. This solves a real problem: without an ABLE account, saving even a modest amount can make someone ineligible for benefits they depend on. Funds in an ABLE account can be used for housing, transportation, medical care, assistive technology, education, and everyday disability-related costs. Most states run their own ABLE program under a state-specific name; some offer additional tax deductions for residents. Find your state's program through the ABLE National Resource Center at https://www.ablenrc.org/.

Help With Utility Bills

Heating and cooling assistance is available to low-income disabled households through federally funded programs administered by states and local agencies. The federal program is called LIHEAP — Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — but many states use their own name for it. Households with a disabled member are often given priority. Some utility companies also have their own assistance programs for customers who are medically dependent on electric service or who have a documented disability. The utility assistance programs by state and utility company page covers both the federal program and where to find state and local help.

If you are behind on bills and worried about a shutoff, it is also worth knowing that many states have protections specifically for households with a disability or a medical condition. The state utility disconnection protections guide explains what those rules are and how to use them.

Food Assistance - SNAP or state equivalent

SNAP — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called food stamps — is one of the most widely available benefits for low-income people with disabilities. Disabled individuals on SSI often qualify automatically or with minimal paperwork. Income rules for people with disabilities are sometimes more flexible than for other households. Your state's SNAP office (website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory) handles applications, or you can apply through your local county social services office. We also have more in-depth information on the program - see the NHPB SNAP program page.

Transportation for Medical Appointments and Daily Life

Getting to medical appointments, therapy, and essential errands can be a genuine barrier when a disability affects mobility. Several options exist: Medicaid may pay for non-emergency medical transportation for eligible enrollees, paratransit services are required by the ADA in most communities, and some nonprofits and volunteer driver programs provide rides at no cost. The free and low-cost transportation guide for people with disabilities covers what is available and how to access it.

Representative Payee Services

Some people with disabilities need help managing benefit income — paying bills on time, handling paperwork, budgeting monthly payments. A representative payee, authorized by the Social Security Administration, handles that on behalf of someone who cannot manage independently. The service is typically free. The representative payee guide explains how it works and where to find legitimate services.

Applying for Disability — Help Getting Approved

Applying for SSI or SSDI is not straightforward. Most initial applications are denied — often not because the person doesn't qualify, but because of administrative or processing issues. Getting through the process successfully usually requires persistence, documentation, and sometimes professional help. The guide on how to apply for disability walks through the steps from start to finish. A separate guide specifically focused on getting help filing for disability covers where to turn when the process feels overwhelming.

Disability Determination Services

Every state has a Disability Determination Services office — DDS — that reviews the medical evidence in Social Security disability applications and makes the initial eligibility decision. DDS is part of the federal disability review process, even though it operates at the state level. Understanding how DDS works and what it looks for can help applicants submit stronger documentation. The Disability Determination Services guide explains the process.

When Your Application Is Denied

A denial is not the end. Most successful disability cases go through at least one appeal. The disability appeal process guide explains the steps. Each step has deadlines — typically 60 days from the denial notice — so acting quickly matters. The appeal can be filed directly at https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/appeals_process.html.

If your benefit payments have been cut or stopped rather than denied on a new application, the process is different — the guide to getting help when SSA payments are reduced covers that situation.

Disability Advocates and Attorneys

Having professional help during an appeal can significantly affect the outcome — particularly when medical documentation is complex or when a case has already been denied once. Disability advocates and disability attorneys typically work on contingency, meaning they are paid only if you are approved, with fees regulated by the Social Security Administration. Free representation may also be available through legal aid organizations.

Help Paying Bills While You Wait

The period between filing and getting approved can stretch a year or more. In the meantime, bills don't stop. A range of resources — nonprofits, community action agencies, emergency utility programs, food assistance, and others — may be available to bridge that gap. The guide to financial help while waiting on disability is specifically organized for people in that situation.

Rental Assistance and Housing - options focused on people with a disability

Several rental assistance programs are specifically designed for non-elderly people with disabilities. The disabled rental assistance guide covers programs including Section 8 vouchers and other income-based housing options, as well as which ones are specifically targeted to people with disabilities versus general low-income households.

For people with very limited resources who need a longer-term housing solution, the rent-free or for nominal amount apartments guide covers supportive housing programs where rent is tied to income, no matter how low it may be. — including income from SSI. Other housing programs, such as the Certain Development Voucher, may help lower income households with a disabled member. The rental units often include access to support services on-site. Rent contributions are income-based and the subsidized and supportive housing for people with disabilities page covers these programs.

Home Modifications and Accessibility Repairs

For people who own their home or live with family, accessibility modifications can make the difference between living independently and needing a care facility. Several paths exist for getting these done at low or no cost. Community action agencies sometimes fund modifications for low-income households. The volunteer home modification guide covers nonprofit programs including Rebuilding Together, which provides free repairs and modifications for eligible homeowners (1-800-473-4229). Many state Medicaid waiver programs also cover home modifications for enrolled participants — check the state pages for details.

Mortgage Assistance - specialized options for homes with a disabled owner

Homeowners with disabilities who are struggling with mortgage payments have specific options that are different from general foreclosure prevention. The disability mortgage assistance guide covers housing counseling, HUD programs, and other resources designed for homeowners in that situation.

Home Sharing

Home sharing — where two or more unrelated people share a home, splitting costs — is an increasingly used option for people on fixed disability income who cannot afford housing alone. The home sharing programs guide explains how matching programs work and where to find them.

Work and Income for People With Disabilities - Working While Receiving Benefits: How It Actually Works

One of the most persistent misunderstandings about disability benefits is that working automatically ends them. That is not accurate. Both SSI and SSDI have work incentive rules that allow recipients to work — and in some cases earn meaningful income — without immediately losing their benefits. The rules are specific and require reporting, but the system is designed to encourage people who can work to try it without losing their safety net.

The SSA's Ticket to Work program is the formal framework for this. It connects eligible disability recipients with employment services, job training, vocational rehabilitation, and employment support networks — at no cost. Using Ticket to Work also provides certain protections against benefit review while you are in the program. The Ticket to Work guide explains eligibility and how to connect with an approved provider.
The SSA also has Plans to Achieve Self-Support — PASS — which allow SSI recipients to set aside income toward a specific work goal, such as training or equipment, without those funds counting against their benefit; ask your local Social Security office about PASS if you have a concrete employment goal.

Employment Support With a Mental Health Condition

For people whose disability involves a mental health condition, standard employment services don't always fit. Some programs are specifically designed for this situation — structured around the pace and needs of someone managing a psychiatric condition alongside work. The employment assistance guide for people with mental health conditions covers what is available.

FMLA and Short-Term Disability: Protecting Your Job and Income

If you have a job and a qualifying health condition, the Family and Medical Leave Act — FMLA — provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave per year. FMLA itself is unpaid, but it prevents termination while you are out for a serious medical reason. Some states and employers pair FMLA with paid leave that provides partial income replacement. Workers' compensation — separate from FMLA — covers wage replacement and medical costs for injuries or illnesses that happened on the job. The FMLA financial assistance guide covers how these protections work together.

Medicaid for People With Disabilities

Medicaid is the primary health coverage program for low-income people with disabilities. In most states, receiving SSI automatically qualifies someone for Medicaid. Even without SSI, many states have specific Medicaid pathways for people who are aged, blind, or disabled. Medicaid also funds home and community-based services — including personal care aides, home health, and in some states, services that allow people with disabilities to direct their own care — through what are called waiver programs. See the locator service at Medicaid.gov - https://www.medicaid.gov/state-overviews/state-profiles.

Medicare

People who receive SSDI become eligible for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. For people with disabilities, Medicare benefits can work alongside Medicaid, with each covering different costs. The NHPB guide to Medicare Rights Center provides details about free counseling on Medicare coverage options and appeal rights for people with disabilities.

Aging and Disability Resource Centers

Many states operate Aging and Disability Resource Centers — sometimes called ADRCs — that serve as a single point of contact for people trying to navigate long-term services and supports. They are staffed by specialists who can help identify what programs someone may qualify for, assist with applications, and connect people to local services. If you are not sure where to start, an ADRC is often the right first call. Your state health or aging department website can direct you to the nearest location. Your state's ADRC can be found through the ACL's national locator at dial.acl.gov.

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology covers a wide range — communication devices, mobility equipment, hearing aids, adaptive computer equipment, and tools that make daily tasks manageable for people with physical or sensory disabilities. Most states have an assistive technology program that addresses the need for those items. The assistive technology and durable equipment guide covers how to access these programs.

Free Medical Equipment

Wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, and other durable medical equipment may be available through nonprofit organizations, equipment loan programs, and in some cases through Medicaid. The free medical equipment guide covers where to find donated or loaned equipment and which programs can help cover the cost when Medicaid or insurance falls short.

Free or Discounted Phone and Internet Service

Reliable phone and internet access matters for managing benefits, attending telehealth appointments, and staying connected. The federal Lifeline program provides discounted monthly phone or internet service for households that qualify based on income or participation in programs like SSI, Medicaid, or SNAP. Eligible households can apply through participating providers. The free phone services Lifeline guide covers Lifeline and other options.

Home Care Services

For people who need help with daily tasks home care programs can provide those services in the home, allowing people with disabilities to avoid or delay nursing facility placement. In many states, Medicaid waiver programs cover home care for eligible enrollees. State-funded programs sometimes cover people who don't meet Medicaid waiver criteria. The home care programs guide explains the main options and how to find what is available in your area.

State Resources for People With Disabilities

Each state listed below has its own set of programs for residents with disabilities — programs that are separate from and in addition to federal SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid. These include state-funded cash assistance, home care waivers with specific names and rules, assistive technology loan programs, employment services, ABLE savings accounts under state-branded names, Centers for Independent Living, and specialized services for people who are deaf, blind, or have developmental disabilities.

The state pages have been researched and rewritten to reflect current programs — not generic federal program names or outdated listings. If your state isn't listed yet, use the ACL national disability resource locator at https://dial.acl.gov/home to find local programs by zip code.