Deaf-Blindness Benefits in Idaho: 2025 Guide

• To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have a qualifying disability, a work history, and enough work credits. SSDI is for people who have paid Social Security taxes through work.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with limited income and resources who are blind, disabled, or age 65 or older. SSI is not based on work history.
• For both SSDI and SSI, your disability must prevent you from working for at least 12 months or be expected to result in death.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines disability broadly, including sensory impairments like Deaf-Blindness if they severely limit your ability to work or live independently.
• In 2025, the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 for blind individuals. Earning above this may affect your benefits.
• Children with disabilities may also qualify for benefits if their parent is receiving Social Security or if they meet SSI criteria.
• Adults with a disability that began before age 22 may qualify for benefits on a parent’s record if the parent is retired, disabled, or deceased.

Citations: [1], [5]

• In Idaho, people with Deaf-Blindness may qualify for Medicaid if they meet financial and medical criteria. Medicaid can cover services like personal care, therapy, and assistive devices.
• Idaho’s Medicaid program has special provisions for people with developmental disabilities. To qualify, your disability must be chronic, appear before age 22, and substantially limit your ability to function in at least three major life activities (such as self-care, communication, learning, or mobility).
• Deaf-Blindness may qualify if it meets the criteria for intellectual disability, autism, or another condition that requires similar treatment or services.
• You must first apply for Medicaid and be determined financially eligible. Then, you will need to complete an application and assessment for the developmental disability program.
• Idaho also offers Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers for people with disabilities who need long-term care but want to live in the community.

Citations: [2], [3]

• Gather medical records and proof of income.
• Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) online, by phone, or at a local Social Security office.
• If you need Medicaid, apply through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
• Complete any required assessments for developmental disability services.
• Contact Idaho Disability Determinations Service for help with the medical review.

Citations: [3], [5]

• Step 1: Collect all medical records, including documentation of Deaf-Blindness and how it affects your daily life.
• Step 2: Apply for SSDI or SSI through the Social Security Administration website, by phone, or at a local office. You will need to provide personal, medical, and work history information.
• Step 3: If you need Medicaid, apply online at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare website or in person. You must be determined financially eligible for Medicaid before applying for developmental disability services.
• Step 4: Complete the application and assessment for the developmental disability program. This may include interviews, functional assessments, and documentation of your disability.
• Step 5: The Idaho Disability Determinations Service will review your medical records and make a decision on your disability claim. They may request additional information or schedule a consultative exam.
• Step 6: If approved, you will receive benefits and may be eligible for additional services like HCBS waivers or employment supports.
• Step 7: Report any changes in income, work, or medical status to avoid overpayments.

Citations: [2], [3], [5]

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Provides monthly payments and Medicare to people with disabilities who have a work history.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Provides monthly payments and Medicaid to people with disabilities who have limited income and resources.
• Children’s SSI: Children with disabilities may qualify for SSI if they meet income and medical criteria.
• Disabled Adult Child (DAC): Adults with a disability that began before age 22 may qualify for benefits on a parent’s Social Security record.
• Work incentives: Programs like Ticket to Work and Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) help people with disabilities work while keeping benefits.

Citations: [5]

• Idaho Medicaid: Covers medical care, therapy, and assistive devices for people with disabilities who meet financial and medical criteria.
• Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers: Allow people with disabilities to receive long-term care in the community instead of institutions.
• Developmental Disability Services: Provides support for people with chronic disabilities that appeared before age 22 and substantially limit major life activities.
• Idaho Disability Determinations Service: Reviews medical evidence for SSDI and SSI claims and makes eligibility decisions.
• Employment Supports: Idaho offers vocational rehabilitation and supported employment services for people with disabilities.

Citations: [2], [3]

• ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. You can use the funds for qualified disability expenses like education, housing, and transportation.
• To open an ABLE account, you must have a qualifying disability that began before age 26.
• Idaho offers the STABLE Savings Plan, which is Idaho’s ABLE account program.

Citations: [internal_link_ABLE_Accounts]

• In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 for blind individuals. Earning above this may affect your SSDI or SSI benefits.
• SSI has strict income and resource limits. In 2025, the federal SSI payment is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple.
• Idaho may have additional state supplements to SSI.

Citations: [1], [5]

• You must report changes in income, work, or medical status to the Social Security Administration and Idaho Medicaid.
• Failing to report changes can result in overpayments, which you may have to repay.
• Use the SSA’s online portal or contact your local office to report changes.

Citations: [internal_link_Avoiding_Overpayments_Reporting_Changes]

• Idaho Disability Determinations Service
  Phone: 208-334-3700

  TTY: 711

  Email: idahodds@labor.idaho.gov

  Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday

  Website

  Handles medical review for SSDI and SSI claims.
• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
  Phone: 208-334-3100

  TTY: 711

  Email: customerservice@dhw.idaho.gov

  Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday

  Website

  Handles Medicaid and developmental disability services applications.

• What is Deaf-Blindness?

  Deaf-Blindness is a combination of hearing and vision loss that makes communication, mobility, and daily living challenging. It can be present from birth or develop later in life.

• Can I get SSDI if I have Deaf-Blindness?

  Yes, if your Deaf-Blindness prevents you from working for at least 12 months and you have enough work credits, you may qualify for SSDI.

• Can I get SSI if I have Deaf-Blindness?

  Yes, if you have limited income and resources and meet the medical criteria, you may qualify for SSI regardless of work history.

• What Medicaid services are available for Deaf-Blindness in Idaho?

  Idaho Medicaid covers medical care, therapy, and assistive devices for people with Deaf-Blindness who meet financial and medical criteria.

• How do I apply for Medicaid in Idaho?

  Apply online at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare website or in person. You must be determined financially eligible before applying for developmental disability services.

• What is a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver?

  An HCBS waiver allows people with disabilities to receive long-term care in the community instead of institutions. Idaho offers waivers for people with developmental disabilities.

• Can I work while receiving SSDI or SSI?

  Yes, work incentives let you keep benefits while working. In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 for blind individuals.