How Social Security Disability Benefits Can Affect SNAP

Posted on: 12 March 2021

When you are disabled and struggling to make ends meet, you might wonder if you are able to take advantage of other benefits in addition to collecting SSDI or SSI benefits. For example, you may wish to qualify for SNAP. 

How SNAP Works

Those who receive SNAP will typically be given a card and can use this to purchase food. This program is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture but is administered by the state. Depending on state policies, you may not be able to receive SNAP benefits because your state will include food money within your SSDI benefits. 

In many cases, if you are not disabled, you must be employed to receive SNAP benefits. Therefore, if you are disabled, you should be entitled to assistance. Also, whether or not you have an individual living with you who is disabled can affect the maximum countable resources you are allowed to have to receive SNAP benefits. 

If you are receiving SSDI benefits, you may already be considered disabled by SNAP and you may then be able to deduct some of your household expenses from your income. This may make it easier to qualify for SNAP.

When You Don't Qualify for SNAP Benefits

If you do not qualify for SNAP benefits but you feel that you are struggling financially, you will want to speak with an SSDI lawyer. It is especially important to make sure that you are able to make a substantial case for why you are entitled to SSDI benefits. 

Whether or not you are entitled to SSDI benefits depends on your medical records, the type of work you have done in the past, how long you are expected to be disabled, and how old you are. However, even if you believe that you are obviously disabled, your claim might still be denied if you do not have a qualifying condition.

The Importance of Qualifying Conditions

The SSA has qualifying conditions that will increase the odds that you will be approved for SSDI benefits. For example, you may be qualified for SSDI benefits if you have been diagnosed with cancer. 

If you do not have a qualifying condition, you may still be able to receive approval, but you will need to work harder to prove that your condition will prevent you from working. However, this is much easier to achieve when you're working with a social security lawyer.

Contact someone like Todd East Attorney at Law to learn more.

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