Eligible people with disabilities may qualify for federal and state programs that pay benefits, pay health care costs or provide food. If you are not already signed up for one of these programs, visit the sites below to find out if you might be eligible or to apply for benefits.
- Medicaid (link is external) provides health coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, and people who are older or who have disabilities. Each state has its own rules about who’s eligible, and what Medicaid covers. Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. To find out if you might be eligible for Medicaid in Texas, visit the Your Texas Benefits website (link is external).
- Medicare (link is external) is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. People younger than age 65 with certain disabilities or permanent kidney failure can also qualify for Medicare. The program helps with the cost of health care, but it doesn’t cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (link is external) allows millions of Americans to buy nutritious food at their local grocery stores. It is available for both single people and families who have low-income. To find out if you might be eligible for SNAP, visit the Your Texas Benefits website (link is external).
- Social Security (link is external) pays a monthly benefit to older Americans, workers who become disabled, and families in which a spouse or parent dies. When you retire, your Social Security payment is based on your average earnings over your working career. If you are determined to be disabled, your benefit is based on the amount of income on which you’ve paid Social Security taxes.
- Supplemental Security Income (link is external) (SSI) pays monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Some of your income and your resources are not counted when deciding whether you’re eligible for SSI. Your house and your car, for example, usually don’t count as resources.
Click on any of the links above or you can contact Helath and Human Service by dialing 2-1-1 is a free, easy way to find out about services you can get in your area or through state programs.
If you can’t connect to 2-1-1, call toll-free at 1-877-541-7905. You can also visit the 2-1-1 Texas website (link is external) to find the phone number to your local 2-1-1 area information center.