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Does Social Security Disability Pay for Assisted Living?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Reviewed by:
Kristi Bickmann, a licensed Long-Term Care Specialist, represents top-rated "Traditional" & "Hybrid" LTC companies. Serving associations such as the American Nurses Association, she's a licensed insurance agent in 27 states. Specializing in insurance products for seniors, Kristi helps hundreds of families every year protect assets, retirement, and loved ones. She understands aging concerns firsthand, having assisted her own parents. Kristi ensures accuracy on topics about senior long-term care and its consequences.
Social Security Disability doesn’t pay for assisted living, but recipients can use their monthly SSDI benefits to help pay for assisted living costs. This program supports individuals who cannot work and certain members of their families. While these benefits provide a valuable financial lifeline, the coverage is limited. You may need to find other options to cover the comprehensive costs associated with assisted living.
How do youqualify for Social Security Disability benefits?
To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have a disability that prevents you from completing substantial income-earning activities. Your disability must be long-term and expected to last at least 12 months or end in death.
The Social Security Administration evaluates medical evidence, your work history and the severity of your disability when determining eligibility. Not everyone receives the same benefit amount. How much you receive depends on how long you’ve worked and the amount you’ve contributed to the program.
The waiting period before SSDI benefits start is 5 months from the onset of your disability. Periodic reviews of your condition may disqualify you entirely if your condition improves, so you need to plan for potential financial gaps in the payment of SSDI benefits.
Alternative funding and assistance programs
To bridge the gap between SSDI benefits and the expenses associated with assisted living, explore alternative funding options, such as personal savings, long-term care insurance, pensions and any investments.
Find out if you qualify for Medicaid. While Medicaid doesn’t cover room and board in assisted living, it can assist with health care-related costs if eligibility criteria are met. Your situation is unique. Consult with financial advisors or eldercare specialists to get personalized guidance on covering assisted living costs based on your financial and health care needs.