Financial assistance benefits for disabled people by state.
Financial assistance and a range of benefits for disabled people are available in every state with federal government programs also an option. The programs are designed to help cover basic living costs, medical needs, housing, and also help people with a disability gain long-term stability. This page is structured as a navigation hub with links to detailed guides on the major benefit categories, followed by a state-by-state directory of local resources.
Assistance, including for rent, utilities or food, may be available to people already receiving disability benefits as well as those who are applying for and need short-term support while waiting for a decision. Eligibility rules vary by program, and approvals often depend on medical documentation, income, and household circumstances. The sections below link to cash benefit, help with disability applications, housing resources, income options, health care support, and free supplies or services for disabled people, along with state-by-state resources.
Disability benefit programs that offer financial help
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Veterans disability compensation is a federal benefit that provides monthly payments to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Benefits may be available when an injury or illness occurred during active duty or when military service made an existing condition significantly worse. Information is available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-800-827-1000.
Some veterans may qualify for expedited handling of disability claims in certain circumstances, and the Social Security Administration may also expedite disability applications for qualifying wounded warriors and veterans. Eligibility rules for expedited processing of disabled claims for veterans vary, and applicants should confirm current requirements when applying.
Utility bill assistance, with a focus on heating or cooling costs, may be available to disabled households through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, commonly called LIHEAP though the name may vary by state. LIHEAP is federally funded, but applications for the grant money to pay utilities are handled through state and local agencies, and many community action agencies administer benefits. Priority for the LIHEAP programs is often given to households that include a disabled person or face increased health risks without heat or cooling.
Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance are the primary Social Security Administration programs that provide monthly disability income. These benefits may help pay for basic living expenses, including housing, utilities, food / groceries, and other essential costs. Eligibility is based on medical criteria, and some benefits also depend on income, resources, and work history. Information is available at 1-800-772-1213. Caregivers can also get help from social security, with government assistance for family caregivers helping them both pay bills and earn some form of income/
- Social Security Disability Insurance provides monthly benefits to eligible people whose medical condition prevents substantial work activity and who have sufficient work history under Social Security rules. The program, often referred to as SSDI, is commonly understood as disability insurance coverage earned through payroll contributions. Information is available at 1-800-772-1213 and https://www.ssa.gov/disability.
- Supplemental Security Income is a federal program that provides monthly payments to eligible disabled adults and children with very limited income and resources, which is a key differentiator from SSDI referenced above. SSI is funded by general tax revenue rather than Social Security taxes. Benefits for someone with a disability may help pay for basic needs such as housing (rent or a mortgage), food, and clothing, and payment amounts depend on financial eligibility. Information is available at 1-800-772-1213 and https://www.ssa.gov/ssi.
State short-term or temporary disability benefits may be an option, but note they are not paid by the Social Security Administration. Availability of what may or may not be offered depends on state law and employer benefits. Workers’ compensation is a common source of support for people injured on the job or affected by an occupational illness and may provide medical treatment, wage replacement, and rehabilitation services. Information is available from state workers’ compensation agencies (website: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/wc) or the U.S. Department of Labor at 1-866-487-2365.
The Family and Medical Leave Act, commonly called FMLA, may provide job-protected medical leave for eligible workers with a serious health condition, including temporary disability situations that are often around injuries at a work place. FMLA itself is unpaid, but some states and employers offer paid leave or related benefits that may help households manage bills during the leave period. Find more details about FMLA financial assistance programs.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or a state version of the benefit program as the name often changes by state, may provide short-term cash assistance to low-income households when an adult cannot work due to disability or serious medical limitations. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - TANF is focused on people with the lowest income, often poverty levels. Benefits are “time-limited” and generally help cover basic needs such as shelter costs such as rent or electricity, food, and essential household expenses and are time-limited under state rules. The page should keep its existing link for TANF details in the same location.
 Short-term financial products are sometimes marketed to applicants waiting on a disability decision or facing timing gaps between benefit payments and when their bills are due. These options may include loans or advances offered by private companies or nonprofit lenders. Terms, interest rates, dollar amounts and other factors vary widely. While a financial product, such as loans for people that are disabled may be an option, they do come with risks to be aware of and should generally be a last-resort - if used at all.
Nonprofit organizations and local agencies (government or charitable) may offer grant based financial assistance to disabled individuals for specific expenses when eligibility requirements are met. Programs often require proof of disability and verification of household income and need. Financial assistance from grants for the disabled may help with costs such as transportation to medical care, utilities, housing-related expenses, adaptive needs, and other essential bills.
Seniors with disabilities may receive financial support through local Area Agencies on Aging. Services vary by county and center, but agencies often help with meals, transportation, caregiver support, and referrals to benefits and community programs that assist older adults with medical limitations. Find more details about Area Agencies on Aging that give help to seniors as well as older adults with a disability for basic needs.
Free or low-cost transportation may be available for disabled individuals through paratransit services, volunteer driver programs, and transportation benefits connected to Medicaid or local social services. Depending on local resources, rides and transportation services for the disabled may include scheduled rides, free vouchers to pay for transportation, or reduced-fare options for medical appointments, grocery shopping and other essential trips.
Disabled individuals who cannot manage benefits and household finances independently may receive help from representative payee services. These services assist with budgeting, answering financial questions and paying essential bills using benefit income and are typically provided by agencies or nonprofit organizations experienced in benefit administration. Find more details on the Representative Payees program.
State utility disconnection rules may provide additional protections for households that include a disabled person or someone with a verified medical condition. Protections from state utility disconnection laws vary, even by season, and may involve medical certification, special notice requirements, or limits on shutoffs during certain conditions.
Get help applying for financial help or benefits when disabled
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Applying for disability benefits is often required before long or short-term disability income is available, and some local assistance programs also require proof of disability status. We do have tips on how to get help filing for disability as the filings can be time-consuming, and many initial applications are denied, which makes accurate documentation and follow-through important. Some financial resources for people with a disability are administered by the federal government (including Social Security Administration - SSA) or states, and others are offered by non-profit organizations. Learn how to apply for disability, including steps to take.
Disability Determination Services offices exist in every state and participate in the medical review process for many Social Security disability claims. Applicants whose claims are denied by Disability Determination Services may appeal, and the appeal steps depend on the reason for denial. Medical denials generally require updated medical documentation, including treatment history, test results, and statements that show functional limitations.
Non-medical denials often require contact with a local Social Security office to correct eligibility, work history, or documentation issues. Information is available at 1-800-772-1213. If your disability application is denied for some type of medical reason, then people will need to complete the Appeal Request and Appeal Disability Report which is online.
- Be prepared to document the specifics on your medical condition, any treatment you are undergoing, doctor visits or the results of tests as part of the disability appeal process. Sometimes there is a reduction in financial assistance, and if your current cash benefits have been stopped or reduced, learn where and how to get help with reduction in SSA payments.
Assistance with disability applications and appeals may be available from regulated social security disability advocates or disability attorneys. Representation from an experienced person can be useful when an application has been denied or when medical documentation is complex. Many representatives, which can also be a disability lawyer, are paid only if benefits from SSI or SSDI payments are awarded.
It can often take many months to be approved for financial assistance from any disability program. While they wait, many applicants often struggling to keep up with their bills since the process takes so long to complete. There are some resources available though when the individual is in a crisis situation. Many nonprofits and government agencies provide financial help while waiting on disability, and the support will last until their first SSI payment is issued by the Social Security Administration.
Housing and home repair assistance programs for the disabled
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Government or nonprofit assistance may help pay for home modifications needed to support safe, independent living for disabled individuals. Modifications may range from smaller changes to larger projects such as ramps or widened doorways, depending on need and program rules. Community action agencies and other local programs often handle applications for low-income households with a disabled member.
Volunteer programs may also provide home repairs and accessibility modifications for eligible homeowners. Rebuilding Together is one national nonprofit that supports repairs and modifications for households in need and can be reached at 1-800-473-4229. Local volunteer groups that do home modifications may also provide similar assistance, including free or low-cost modifications, to households with a disabled person depending on the community.
Designated housing vouchers and related programs may help disabled households afford rental housing when eligibility requirements are met. While program terms vary based on location, household income and availability, many of the rental units will be income-based. Some disabled rent assistance programs, including vouchers are designed for non-elderly disabled households who qualify for housing assistance.
Mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention resources may be available to disabled homeowners through housing counseling agencies, disability resource centers, and related programs. Options may include counseling, review of modification alternatives, referrals to legal aid, HUD programs and other support designed to stabilize housing - learn more on how to get mortgage help with a disability that is focused on their specific needs.
Section 811 supportive housing programs and related resources may help some disabled individuals access affordable housing when eligibility rules are met. In many cases, the household contribution toward rent is based on income, including from social security, when it comes to housing assistance for disabled, and benefits may count as income for rent calculations.
Work and income programs for disabled adults
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Work incentives may allow some disabled individuals to work while continuing to receive disability benefits under specific rules. These programs can help people explore employment without immediate loss of benefits from the social security department, including SSI or SSDI) and may also allow continued access to health coverage in certain situations. The employment and income opportunities for the disabled can help people with a physical or mental disability.
Some employment options may include work-from-home positions when a disability limits transportation or mobility. Income from employment may be combined with benefits depending on program rules and individual circumstances. Learn how to earn money from work at home jobs that may be a good fit.
The Ticket to Work program provides employment services for eligible people receiving disability benefits. Services from Ticket to Work job program for the disabled.\ may include job training, vocational rehabilitation, and employment planning through approved providers.
Some employment programs and support services are designed for people with mental health conditions who receive disability benefits and meet eligibility rules. Availability and enrollment requirements vary by location. The page should keep its existing link for mental health employment assistance in the same position. Ask your local social service office to apply, or learn about assistance at work with mental health condition.
Free or low-cost health care programs for people with a disability
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Free or low-cost mental health care may be available through public programs, community providers, and clinics that serve low-income households. Services noted on the SAMHSA Mental Health Treatment Locator service may include a wide range of programs. This includes, but is not limited too, counseling, free therapy, and referral support for ongoing treatment, and eligibility depends on location and program rules. The existing therapy resource link should remain in the same location.
Medicare may be available to eligible disabled individuals and can help pay for covered medical services, hospital care, and other health care needs. Coverage and eligibility to the federal insurance program depend on program rules, and related assistance may also be available through Medicaid and other health programs. Medicare insurance can help pay for a wide variety of costs (based on eligibility and other factors) such as equipment, treatment and more.
- Medicare-related support services may help disabled individuals and caregivers review coverage options and identify assistance for medical, dental and prescription needs. Program availability and contact points vary, and the existing Medicare Center Rights Disabled Hotline will help people find resources.
Prescription assistance may be available through nonprofit programs, manufacturer discount options, and state resources, including State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs in some states. Eligibility and benefits provided, as well as the types of medications covered, vary as noted on our free - low-cost prescription page.
People recovering from a stroke may qualify for disability benefits and other forms of assistance depending on medical circumstances and eligibility rules. Some programs that provide help for stroke victims focus on rehabilitation support and basic financial stability during recovery.
Free stuff including supplies for adults or kids with a disability
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Free or low-cost internet access and devices may be available through certain programs, providers, or assistance resources. Reliable communication can support benefit management, medical care coordination, and contact with caregivers and family. While many of the programs are income and/or asset based, people on a fixed income such as SSI or SSDI may qualify for free internet services.
Medical equipment assistance may be available through charities, insurance coverage, and public programs depending on eligibility. Programs that offer free medical equipment for the disabled may provide mobility devices, durable medical equipment, or other items based on medical need.
Assistive technology programs exist in many states and may help disabled individuals access devices or equipment needed for independent living, communication, or employment. This can include phones, tablets, and other stuff. Some programs for assistive technology or durable equipment provide loans of equipment or referrals to providers and nonprofits that offer durable medical equipment.
Home care programs may assist low-income disabled adults or seniors with daily living needs such as meal preparation, cleaning, laundry, and basic household tasks. In some states, services are offered through Medicaid waiver programs or similar resources, and cost-sharing depends on eligibility. Learn how Home Care can help patients with a mental or physical disability.
Where disabled people can get help and disability benefits by state
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Select a state below for local resources. Disabled people can get emergency or long-term financial help and access to benefits. There are state run, nonprofits and federal assistance offered by certified nonprofit organizations. Select a state below for local resources. A national public database operated by the Administration for Community Living lists local disability programs and services by location at https://dial.acl.gov/home.
Resources may include disability benefits, referrals to local services, emergency help, and other forms of support depending on location and eligibility rules. In some cases, programs are administered directly by the state, and in other cases services are provided through certified nonprofit organizations and local agencies.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Want additional information or support in your area?
Please send us an email @ [email protected] Be sure to include your state, and your information won’t be shared. The state and/or local information is needed to send details on government or non-profit disability benefit programs or financial help in your area.
Or if you have questions, or if you want to read what other disabled people from across the country are doing to make ends meet and find help, use our Discussion Forum on programs that help people with a disability. Read other experiences, find additional resources and get support from the community..
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