When you finally qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), it can feel like a major weight is lifted off your shoulders. Many people work for years, pay into the system, and then struggle when illness or injury makes working impossible. The monthly SSDI check helps, but most people don’t realize something important: your SSDI approval may also indicate you are eligible for other unused benefits.
In this guide, we’ll explain the most common extra benefits you may qualify for once you receive SSDI.
1. Medicare Health Insurance
For many people, Medicare is the most valuable benefit connected to SSDI since it provides beneficiaries with life-saving, widely accepted health insurance. Medicare starts after a 24-month waiting period that begins with your first SSDI payment and gives you access to:
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Hospital coverage (Part A)
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Outpatient doctor visits (Part B)
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Prescription coverage (Part D)
Disabled beneficiaries often live with serious illnesses and the costs of appointments, tests, and medications add up quickly. Medicare helps reduce that burden.
Once you become Medicare-eligible, you can also consider enrolling in a supplemental Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap (precription supplement) plan to further extend your coverage. These options often come with higher premium costs but can lower your out-of-pocket costs even more. Some plans even offer low-cost prescriptions or transportation to appointments.
3. Medicaid (Depends on the State)
Even though SSDI is not income-based, you may still qualify for Medicaid in North Carolina, and in your state if living outside of North Carolina. States use different rules but many allow claimants to qualify based on their disability status, low income or on a temporary basis while waiting for their Medicare eligibility to kick in. This can be extremely helpful if you cannot afford private insurance during the two-year Medicare waiting period.
4. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) “Combo” Benefits
Some people qualify for both SSI and SSDI at the same time. This happens if your SSDI payment is very small due to only working for a short time or for low wages. If your SSDI check is below the income limit for SSI, you may receive a small SSI payment to raise your monthly benefit amount and automatic Medicaid coverage.
5. Back Pay and Possible Lump Sums
Most SSDI cases take many months—or years—to approve.
Because of that, many people receive Social Security back pay and in some cases, additional past-due benefits for dependents or family members. These amounts can total thousands of dollars.
To learn more, read: How Long Does It Take to Get SSDI Back Pay? on the Collins Price blog.
6. Benefits for Your Children
One of the most overlooked SSDI benefits is dependents’ benefits. Your dependents can get payments if they are:
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Under age 18
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Under age 19 and still in high school
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An adult child with a lifelong disability
Dependents can receive up to 50% of your SSDI benefit, subject to a family maximum limit.
These payments can help cover school supplies, food, clothing, and household bills.
7. Benefits for Your Spouse
Your spouse may qualify for SSDI-related benefits if they are age 62 or older, if they care for your child who is under age 16, and if that they care for a child with a disability
Spousal benefits can help cover living expenses and reduce stress on your household budget.
8. Access to Vocational Rehabilitation Services
If you want to try to return to work in the future, your SSDI approval qualifies you for services like:
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Job training
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Resume help
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Workplace accommodations
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Skill building
These services are free and designed to help people with disabilities return to work safely.
9. Trial Work Period and Work Incentives
SSDI comes with several special “work incentive” programs that allow you to test whether you can work again without losing your benefits right away.
These include:
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Trial Work Period: Earn any amount for 9 months while still receiving SSDI.
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Extended Period of Eligibility: You can keep benefits for three years if earnings drop below a certain level.
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Expedited Reinstatement: If symptoms worsen, you can restart benefits without a new application.
Learn more in: Can You Work Part Time on Social Security Disability? on the Collins Price blog.
10. Property Tax Relief (Varies by State)
Many states offer reduced property taxes for SSDI recipients. In North Carolina, for example, disabled homeowners may qualify for a homestead exclusion or a reduction in taxable property value. This can significantly lower annual property taxes.
11. Student Loan Forgiveness
If your condition is considered permanent or long-term, you might qualify for Total and Permanent Disability discharge of federal student loans.
This program stops collection, interest, and future payments permanently.
12. SNAP (Food Assistance)
Some SSDI recipients in North Carolina also qualify for SNAP benefits, especially if their SSDI benefit is low, they live alone, or they have high medical expenses. SNAP helps make groceries more affordable each month.
13. Housing Assistance
SSDI can help you qualify for housing programs such as: Section 8, Housing Choice Vouchers, and subsidized housing for disabled adults. These programs can make rent much more affordable.
14. Utility Assistance
North Carolina offers utility assistance for individuals with disabilities through programs like the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) and EnergyShare®. LIEAP provides a one-time payment for heating bills to eligible households, including those with a person who is disabled and receiving services from the Division of Aging and Adult Services. EnergyShare® is a year-round program of last resort for those facing a heating-related crisis, with no income restrictions for eligibility.
15. Transportation Programs
If you cannot drive because of your disability, you may qualify for: reduced public transit fares, disability transportation cards, free transportation to medical appointments, and para-transit ride services
These services help you stay connected to medical care and community support.
SSDI Beneficiaries Qualify for Many Benefits
When you quality for SSDI benefits, you’re not just getting a monthly check. You are gaining access to a wide network of benefits designed to help disabled adults live more safely and comfortably.
If you are considering applying for SSDI, contact us today to speak with one of our local disability attorneys. There’s no obligation to hire us following the free consultation and no fee for our services unless we win your claim.
