Waiting for disability benefits is one of the hardest stretches a family can go through. Rent, groceries, prescriptions, and utility bills do not pause while a Social Security disability claim moves through the system. If you are looking for financial help while waiting for SSDI, there are real options.
Before you look elsewhere for help, know that Liner Legal’s Client Concierge Program connects you to resources that can help right now, including housing, food, transportation, and financial assistance, all while we work on your case. Here’s a look at other programs that may be able to help too.
Federal Programs That Can Help
Renta de Seguridad Complementaria
Supplemental Security Income is run by the Social Security Administration alongside Social Security disability insurance. SSI pays cash assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and few resources.
SNAP and Other Nutrition Help
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps cover food costs.
TANF
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a federal-state program that provides cash assistance for needy families with dependent children.
Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid provides medical care for low-income adults. CHIP covers children.
LIHEAP
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps with utility bills.
Ayudas para la vivienda
HUD-administered housing programs, including Section 8 vouchers and public housing, help with rent.
State and Local Programs
States and counties run their own general assistance and public assistance programs. Short-term disability insurance through a former employer can also bridge part of the gap if a policy is still in force. If a long-term disability policy is on the table too, that can pay while SSDI is pending.
Charitable Organizations and Community Aid
Private charitable organizations fill the spaces federal benefits do not reach.
Working While Waiting for Disability
The SSA uses a substantial gainful activity test to decide whether work counts against a disability claim.
How Liner Legal Helps
Our team helps clients understand the financial options available during a pending Social Security disability claim and supports them through the appeals process.
Preguntas Frecuentes
How can I get money while waiting for disability?
Apply for SSI, SNAP, TANF if you have children, Medicaid, and LIHEAP at the same time. Call 211 to find local assistance.
Can I get food stamps while waiting for disability?
Yes. SNAP benefits are income-based, and most SSDI applicants qualify while their disability claim is pending.
Will people on SSDI lose food stamps?
Receiving SSDI does not automatically end SNAP. Eligibility is recalculated based on the new income.
Más allá de la discapacidad: nuestra red de socios de derivación
Did you know you may be entitled to additional financial compensation beyond your disability benefits? Depending on your situation, you could also have a workers’ compensation, personal injury, medical malpractice, or long-term disability claim. Exploring these options does not automatically affect your eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits.
At Liner Legal, we’re committed to helping you identify every potential source of financial support so you don’t leave benefits you may be entitled to on the table.
See if You Qualify for Additional Financial Compensation
Talk to Liner Legal About Your Disability Claim
If you are waiting for disability and you need to know what financial assistance programs you qualify for, our team at Liner Legal can walk you through the options.
Take the first step. Answer a few simple questions here: See if You Qualify for SSD/SSI Benefits. Our Intake team will review your situation and reach out as quickly as possible with personalized guidance on your next steps. If a long-term disability policy is also on the table, our team handles those cases through the LTD Survey. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means nothing up front and no fee unless we win benefits. Federal law caps our fees at 25 percent of past-due benefits or $9,200, whichever is lower.