First of all, let us explain what each benefit is. SSDI is the Social Security Disability Insurance and it is a monthly payment you may get if you have paid enough tax to the Administration as you worked.
When a disability starts, you can get a medical certificate to prove you can no longer work. This disability could be permanent or temporary. If it prevents you from working for 12 months, you can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance. However, there are other requirements to get Social Security Disability Insurance too.
Remember that your disability must meet the strict definition Social Security has set. As a matter of fact, you must be younger than Full Retirement Age. If your disability is short-term or partial you will not be eligible. Get enough work credits or you will not get SSDI.
Receiving SNAP benefits while on Social Security Disability Insurance
It is possible to get SSDI and SNAP benefits. As long as you meet the Food Stamp requirements, you can collect both payments. Remember that you must file in the state you live in.
Therefore, you will have to meet all the income and resource limits set for people with a qualifying disability. The Food Stamps program considers a person has a disability if you get SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSDI.
That is, a Federal disability or blindness payment under the Social Security Act. There may be other cases, but SSDI is the one we are dealing with today. Submitting an application will be the easiest way to find out if you are eligible or not for Food Stamps.
Visit your local office and they will inform you if you qualify for SNAP benefits or not. Getting Food Stamps back to the date you sent your application is possible. So, the faster you file, the better.
SNAP INCOME LIMITS WITH A DISABILITY
The money you earn from SSDI matters. However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) claims that a household with a person with a disability only has to pass the net income test. Actually, your net income per month must be below or the same as 100% of the Federal Poverty Line.
Then, to get Food Stamps your net income must be $1,215 per month or lower if single. It could be up to or less than $1,644 if you are 2. As stated above, people with a disability do not have to meet the gross income test. The net income means the gross monthly income minus any allowable deductions.
For your information, if you are on SSI you are deemed categorically eligible for SNAP. This is because they have already proved that they have a low income and they meet the income requirements.
Do not forget that those who are on SSDI and apply for Food Stamps may qualify for deductions. For instance, medical expenses for people with a disability if higher than $35 for the month and not paid by the insurance or by anyone else. Visit your SNAP office as soon as possible and apply.
