Can I Get Other Benefits While Receiving Disability?

 Posted on December 21, 2025 in Social Security Disability

In many situations, you can receive other benefits while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This issue comes up often for people who depend on monthly disability payments but still need help paying for medical care, food, or housing. As of 2025, federal disability rules still allow people receiving SSDI to qualify for certain state and federal assistance programs. You just have to meet each program’s specific eligibility requirements.

At The Law Offices of Coats & Todd, our Dallas, TX SSDI lawyers often speak with people who are unsure how these programs work together. Many worry that getting extra help could affect their disability checks. We can walk you through the benefits available to you under your unique circumstances.

Does SSDI Work With Other Benefit Programs?

SSDI is governed by the Social Security Act, Title II. It’s based on your work history and the payroll taxes you paid while working. Because SSDI is not based on financial need, it can often be combined with other programs that are income-based or needs-based.

That said, every program has its own rules. Some only look at income. Others also consider assets, such as savings or property. In Texas, agencies like the Texas Health and Human Services Commission manage several assistance programs, which means local rules and processes may also apply.

Can You Receive Medicare and Medicaid While on SSDI?

Under federal law, most people approved for SSDI become eligible for Medicare after a waiting period of twenty-four months from their entitlement date. Medicare helps cover hospital stays, doctor visits, and certain medical services, but it does not cover everything.

Medicaid is a needs-based program. In Texas, eligibility depends on income and available resources. Some people receiving SSDI qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time. When both programs apply, Medicaid may help pay for costs Medicare does not fully cover, such as copays or certain long-term care services. This can be especially helpful in areas like Dallas County, where ongoing medical care can be expensive and access to specialists is often necessary.

Can You Get Food or Housing Assistance While Receiving SSDI?

Many Texans receiving SSDI also qualify for help with basic living expenses. Programs that may be available include:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also called SNAP, which helps pay for groceries

• Housing assistance through local housing authorities

• Utility assistance programs that help with electricity or heating costs

When you apply for SNAP benefits, SSDI income is counted. However, receiving SSDI does not automatically disqualify you. Eligibility for housing assistance programs varies by location. For example, waitlists and eligibility rules in Dallas County may differ from those in Tarrant County or Collin County. Availability often depends on funding and local demand.

Can You Receive Veterans Benefits or Workers’ Compensation?

Veterans' benefits are administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. SSDI does not prevent someone from receiving VA disability benefits. The two are governed by different laws and use different standards.

Workers’ compensation benefits can also overlap with SSDI in some cases. Federal law allows Social Security to lower SSDI payments if workers’ compensation and SSDI together go over certain limits. This is commonly referred to as a workers’ compensation offset.

Do You Have to Report Other Benefits to Social Security?

Social Security requires beneficiaries to report certain changes that may affect their benefits. This includes starting or stopping other benefit programs and changes in income. It also includes returning to work, even on a limited or trial basis.

Failing to report these changes can lead to an overpayment. An overpayment occurs when Social Security determines that you were paid more than the rules allow. In those cases, Social Security may seek repayment of the excess amount. Reporting changes as soon as they happen can help reduce the risk of overpayments and avoid future complications.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Plano, TX SSDI Benefits Attorney

At The Law Offices of Coats & Todd, we will explain how federal and Texas benefit programs work together. That way, we can help you avoid common problems that delay or disrupt benefits. Our legal team has decades of combined experience handling disability cases, and we stay actively involved in professional organizations focused on Social Security disability claims, including national and Dallas-based claimant advocacy groups. Call 972-671-9922 to schedule a free consultation with our Dallas, TX SSDI lawyers today. Se habla Español.