The need for financial, emotional, and physical assistance can grow progressively as one ages. Assistance related to healthcare services, transportation, housing, food, and dining can be beneficial and improve seniors’ quality of life, especially for those with disabilities. This is why there are multiple schemes in the country to help disabled individuals over 65. These schemes can provide some stability and offer a much-needed safety net in times of need.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
This program provides monthly payments to seniors with disabilities that prevent them from working and earning a livelihood. There are a few things that should be noted.
- This scheme is inherently tied to their work history. When an individual’s disability prevents them from working for a year or may end in death, they become eligible for this benefit.
- Other than that, individuals are eligible for SSDI even when they can continue working after becoming disabled. This is because their condition prevents them from earning more than the “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). Currently, the SGA value is approximately $1,550 per month or $2,590 if an individual is considered blind per the evaluation authority’s rules.
- Under specific conditions, the spouse, ex-spouse, or children of those receiving SSDI benefits may also be eligible for family benefits—child or spousal benefits. Factors including their marital status and age are considered to determine whether they are eligible for family benefits.
People applying for SSDI need to submit documents indicating that their work and income have been affected by their condition. Besides that, those with disabilities should also report any major improvements in their condition. There are a few things that they need to report and file regularly.
- Details about their bank account so the authorities know the money is being deposited on time
- Personal contact information, including mailing address, email ID, and phone number, so authorities can communicate with beneficiaries about the benefits
- Existing citizenship or immigration status so that Social Security can update their records
VA Disability Compensation
Seniors who served in the military and sustained injuries that caused disabilities can also receive monthly tax-free payments from the government.
- Under the Veterans Affairs (VA) Compensation scheme, individuals who got sick or injured while serving in the military or those whose existing condition worsened during military service are eligible for specific monetary perks.
- Veterans qualify for this compensation when they have grievous physical conditions, such as a chronic injury or illness. The eligibility criteria for this scheme seem complex due to the number of requirements listed by the VA. For instance, the individual seeking this benefit must have a current injury or illness and have served on active duty for training, active duty, or inactive duty training.
- The conditions covered by VA Compensation are chronic (long-lasting) back pain that eventually results in a back disability, severe hearing loss caused during military service, tissue scarring, breathing problems resulting from a lung condition, a loss of range of movements of the body, ulcers, and cancers caused by being in contact with dangerous and toxic chemicals or other agents.
- To file a disability claim and get compensation, veterans need to provide extensive VA medical records and hospital documents that prove their disability worsened because of military service. Additionally, supporting statements from family, friends, clergy, coworkers, and law enforcement personnel who know when the veteran became disabled or how the condition got worse are needed.
- Along with these records, veterans will need to complete and send a specific VA compensation form. The VA will review all the documents before approving any request.
ABD Medicaid
Those with chronic conditions and disabilities are eligible to receive Medicaid benefits. ABD Medicaid, which stands for aged, blind, and disabled Medicaid, is for adults over the age of 65 and disabled individuals. Social Security decides whether an individual is disabled and, by extension, eligible for benefits. In certain states, there may be specific financial eligibility requirements for applicants.
The medical requirements that make people eligible for benefits from SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, Medicaid, and ABD Medicaid are quite similar.
There are a few health disorders that make individuals eligible for ABD Medicaid.
- Chronic respiratory problems
- Musculoskeletal problems
- Cardiovascular issues
- Problems with one’s senses and speech
- Gut issues like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), short bowel syndrome, and hepatic (liver) dysfunction
- Disorders resulting in chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Skin problems like chronic infections of the skin mucous membranes, dermatitis, and burns
- Endocrine (hormonal) imbalance
- Congenital disorders including Down syndrome, Tay-Sachs disease, and phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Cancer
- Immune system issues, including rheumatic diseases, HIV, and connective tissue disorders
Seniors with these conditions can receive monthly disability payments, benefits, and health services, such as medical equipment and care, provided that the medical condition is expected to last at least a year or is considered fatal or terminal.
