Houston Disability
The Houston disability attorneys at the Duke Firm, PC would like to explain the federal and state government programs available to those who are disabled, and require income and benefit support. Please note that there may be other programs available to assist you on the federal and state levels beyond what are listed below, depending on your age, financial situation, type of disability, and other factors.
Federal Support for the Disabled
If you are disabled in such a way that your ability to earn an income is affected, or if a family member requires care for their disabilities, the US federal government offers the following assistance programs:
- The Social Security Disability Insurance Program (SSDI) – pays benefits to you and specific family members if you worked for a set amount of time and paid Social Security taxes out of your paycheck during that time. If you have an adult child who suffers from a disability, he or she may also qualify for benefits based upon your earnings record, assuming your child became disabled before the age of 22 (/www.ssa.gov/pgm/links_disability.htm).
- The Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) – pays benefits to adults and children with disabilities who have limited income and resources for support. SSI benefits are also offered to people 65 and over without disabilities, but who meet certain financial limitations (www.ssa.gov/pgm/links_disability.htm).
- Medicare – administers the largest health insurance program in the nation. Medicare provides health insurance to qualifying disabled persons under the age of 65 and all ages suffering from permanent kidney failure (www.medicare.gov/default.asp).
- Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Disability Compensation – pays tax-free disability compensation to military veterans disabled while on active duty, or whose existing disabilities were made worse by active military service. It is also paid to certain veterans disabled by negligent VA health care (www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/compensation/index.htm).
State Support for the Disabled
If you live in Houston, you may qualify for one of the Texas state assistance programs for the disabled:
- Texas State Veterans’ Benefits - If you are disabled American veteran living in Houston, you may qualify for a number of state-supported financial assistance options (www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/texas-state-veterans-benefits).
- Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) – Provides a wide variety of support services for Texas citizens and their children who suffer from disabilities ranging from autism to blindness (www.dars.state.tx.us/).
- Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) – Offers support and benefits for Texans who are elderly and disabled, or are caring for an aging family member who requires assistance for their disabilities (www.dads.state.tx.us/).
