Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Benefits in Connecticut

To qualify for federal disability benefits with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), you must meet Social Security Administration (SSA) criteria. PTSD is listed in the SSA’s Blue Book under mental disorders (Section 12.15). You need medical documentation showing your symptoms severely limit your ability to work or function daily. For SSDI, you must have a work history and enough work credits. For SSI, your income and assets must be below set limits. Both programs require that your disability is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

• SSDI: Worked in jobs covered by Social Security, have a qualifying disability, and meet the 20/40 work credit rule.
• SSI: Low income and limited resources, regardless of work history.
• Both: Must not earn above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit ($1,620/month in 2025, or $2,700 if blind)[^1][^2].

In Connecticut, people with PTSD may qualify for state-specific disability benefits and support programs. The Aid to Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD) program provides cash assistance to supplement income for those who meet financial and medical criteria. The state disregards the 2025 federal Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase when calculating AABD eligibility, so recipients do not lose benefits due to the COLA. Connecticut also offers Medicaid waivers for home and community-based services, such as the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver, which can help adults with PTSD who need support outside of institutions. Eligibility for these programs depends on income, assets, and medical need.

• AABD: Must meet income and disability requirements; the 2025 COLA is not counted as income for eligibility[^3].
• Medicaid Waivers: Must meet Medicaid financial and medical criteria; services are for those who would otherwise need institutional care[^4].

• Gather medical records and proof of income.
• Visit the SSA website to apply for SSDI or SSI.
• Apply for Connecticut state benefits online at CT.gov or by phone.
• Contact DSS for Medicaid or state supplement programs.
• Seek help from legal aid if needed.

• Step 1: Collect medical documentation of your PTSD diagnosis and how it affects your daily life and ability to work.
• Step 2: Apply for federal disability benefits online at SSA.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You can also visit a local SSA office.
• Step 3: Apply for Connecticut state benefits, such as AABD or Medicaid, online at CT.gov or by calling 1-855-626-6632.
• Step 4: If you need help with the application, contact a legal aid organization or DSS for support.
• Step 5: Submit all required documents and follow up on your application status.
• Step 6: Report any changes in income, address, or medical condition to avoid overpayments.

For Medicaid waivers, contact the Department of Social Services regional office and return a completed waiver request form[^4].

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): For those with a work history and enough work credits.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): For those with low income and limited resources.
• Medicaid: Health coverage for people with disabilities who meet income and asset limits.
• Medicare: Health coverage for those who receive SSDI for 24 months.
• Family Benefits: Spouses, ex-spouses, and children of disabled workers may qualify for benefits.

These programs provide cash, health coverage, and support for people with PTSD and their families[^1][^2].

• Aid to Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD): State cash assistance for people with disabilities who meet income and medical criteria. The 2025 COLA is not counted as income for eligibility[^3].
• Personal Services Program: Grants for personal assistants to help people with severe disabilities live at home.
• Family Support Grant Program: Subsidies for families with children with developmental disabilities.
• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver: Medicaid waiver for adults with PTSD who need home and community-based services.
• State Supplement Program: Cash assistance to supplement income for the aged, blind, or disabled[^4].

ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to save money without losing eligibility for means-tested benefits like SSI and Medicaid. In Connecticut, you can open an ABLE account to pay for qualified disability expenses. Contributions are not tax-deductible, but earnings grow tax-free. Withdrawals for qualified expenses are also tax-free. For more information, visit the ABLE National Resource Center or the Connecticut ABLE program website[^5].

For SSI in 2025, the federal income limit is $943/month for an individual and $1,415/month for a couple. Connecticut may have higher limits for state programs. The AABD program disregards the 2025 COLA increase when calculating eligibility, so recipients do not lose benefits due to the COLA. For Medicaid, income limits vary by program and household size[^3][^6].

If your income, address, or medical condition changes, you must report it to avoid overpayments. Overpayments can result in repayment demands or loss of benefits. Report changes to SSA and DSS as soon as possible. For more information, see the SSA guide on reporting changes and the DSS guide on avoiding overpayments[^7][^8].

• Connecticut Department of Social Services
  Phone: 1-855-626-6632

  TTY: 1-800-842-4524

  Website

  For state benefits, Medicaid, and disability services.
• Social Security Administration
  Phone: 1-800-772-1213

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Website

  For federal disability benefits and questions.

• Can I get disability benefits for PTSD in Connecticut?

  Yes, if your PTSD is severe enough to prevent you from working and you meet SSA or state eligibility criteria. You need medical documentation and may need to meet income and work history requirements.

• How do I apply for disability benefits for PTSD in Connecticut?

  Apply online at SSA.gov for federal benefits or at CT.gov for state benefits. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 for SSA or 1-855-626-6632 for Connecticut DSS.

• What is the income limit for disability benefits in Connecticut?

  For SSI, the 2025 federal limit is $943/month for an individual. Connecticut state programs may have different limits. The 2025 COLA is not counted as income for AABD eligibility.

• Can I work while receiving disability benefits for PTSD?

  Yes, but your earnings must be below the SGA limit ($1,620/month in 2025). SSA has work incentives to help you return to work without losing benefits.

• What state programs are available for people with PTSD in Connecticut?

  Connecticut offers AABD cash assistance, Medicaid waivers, personal services grants, and family support grants for people with disabilities, including PTSD.

• How does the COLA increase affect my disability benefits in Connecticut?

  The 2025 federal COLA increase is not counted as income for AABD eligibility, so recipients do not lose benefits due to the COLA.