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Idaho • Chronic Illness
If you have kidney disease in Idaho, you may qualify for federal disability benefits like SSDI and SSI, plus state Medicaid waivers and support programs. This guide explains eligibility, how to apply, and what benefits are available in 2025.
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with kidney disease, you must meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disability. This means your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. For kidney disease, SSA uses specific medical criteria, such as chronic kidney disease with certain lab results, dialysis, or transplant status. You need work credits for SSDI, but not for SSI. In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals (or $2,700 if blind). Earning above this may affect your benefits. The annual COLA increase for 2025 is 2.5% for SSDI and SSI payments [1].
Children with kidney disease may qualify for SSI if they meet childhood disability criteria and their family meets income/resource limits. Adults with a disability that began before age 22 may be eligible for Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits based on a parent’s record, as long as they remain unmarried and do not have substantial earnings [5].
In Idaho, Medicaid covers kidney disease treatment, including dialysis and transplant-related care, for those who meet financial and medical eligibility. To get Medicaid, you must first apply and be found financially eligible. Then, you may need to complete a separate application for developmental disability or long-term care programs if you need additional support. Idaho’s Medicaid program also offers Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers for people with chronic conditions like kidney disease, which can help pay for home care, transportation, and other supports. Eligibility for these waivers depends on your medical need, functional limitations, and financial situation. Idaho’s Disability Determinations Service (DDS) reviews medical evidence for SSDI and SSI claims, but does not accept applications directly—those go through SSA offices [3].
If you have kidney disease and need help with daily living, you may qualify for Idaho’s Adult with Developmental Disabilities (DD) program if your condition meets the criteria, such as chronic illness before age 22 and significant functional limitations. However, kidney disease alone does not automatically qualify you for DD services unless it meets these specific requirements [2].
Step 1: Review SSA’s disability criteria. Make sure your kidney disease meets SSA’s definition. Check the SSA Blue Book (Listing 6.00 for genitourinary disorders) for details on qualifying lab results, dialysis, or transplant status [5].
Step 2: Gather documents. Collect medical records (lab results, dialysis notes, transplant reports), proof of income, work history, and identification.
Step 3: Apply for SSDI/SSI. Go to SSA.gov and use the online application, or visit your local SSA office. If you are applying for SSI, you may also need to provide financial documents. Idaho’s Disability Determinations Service (DDS) will review your medical evidence after SSA sends your claim [3].
Step 4: Apply for Idaho Medicaid. Complete a Medicaid application online at HealthandWelfare.idaho.gov or at your local Department of Health and Welfare office. If you need extra support, ask about HCBS waivers and DD programs. You may need to complete a separate assessment for these programs [2].
Step 5: Follow up and report changes. Keep SSA and Idaho Medicaid updated on any changes in your health, income, or living situation. This helps avoid overpayments and keeps your benefits active [5].
Step 6: Explore work incentives and ABLE accounts. If you want to work, learn about SSI/SSDI work incentives and Idaho ABLE accounts, which let you save money without losing benefits [4].
An ABLE account lets people with disabilities save money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. In Idaho, you can open an ABLE account to save for disability-related expenses. Contributions do not count as income for SSI, and up to $100,000 in an ABLE account does not count as a resource for SSI. ABLE accounts can be used for housing, education, transportation, and other qualified disability expenses [4].
If your income, resources, or health changes, you must report it to SSA and Idaho Medicaid. Not reporting changes can lead to overpayments, which you may have to repay. Report changes online, by phone, or in person. SSA and Idaho Medicaid have rules about what counts as a reportable change, so check their websites for details [5].
Contact Idaho’s Disability Determinations Service or your local Department of Health and Welfare office for help with SSDI/SSI or Medicaid applications.
SSI and SSDI have work incentives that let you try working without losing benefits. Learn more about trial work periods and continued coverage.
Yes, if your kidney disease meets SSA’s medical criteria and prevents you from working. You need work credits for SSDI, but not for SSI. Idaho’s Medicaid also covers kidney disease treatment for those who meet financial and medical eligibility.
SSI limits are based on federal rules and change yearly. Medicaid limits vary by program but are generally below 138% of the federal poverty level. HCBS waivers may have higher limits if you have high medical expenses.
Apply online at HealthandWelfare.idaho.gov or at your local Department of Health and Welfare office. You may need to complete a separate assessment for HCBS waivers or DD programs if you need extra support.
The SGA limit for non-blind individuals in 2025 is $1,620 per month. If you are blind, the limit is $2,700. Earning above this may affect your SSDI or SSI benefits.
Yes, but your earnings must stay below the SGA limit. SSA has work incentives that let you keep benefits while you try to work, including trial work periods and continued Medicare/Medicaid coverage.
An ABLE account lets you save money for disability-related expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. In Idaho, you can use an ABLE account for housing, education, transportation, and other qualified expenses.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always consult official sources or a qualified professional for your specific situation.
Yes, you must report changes to SSA and Idaho Medicaid. Not reporting changes can lead to overpayments, which you may have to repay. Check their websites for what counts as a reportable change.
Idaho offers HCBS waivers for people with chronic conditions like kidney disease. These waivers can help pay for home care, transportation, and other supports. Eligibility depends on medical need, functional limitations, and financial situation.
Yes, children with kidney disease may qualify for SSI if they meet childhood disability criteria and their family meets income/resource limits. Adults with a disability that began before age 22 may be eligible for DAC benefits based on a parent’s record.
The process can take several months. Idaho’s Disability Determinations Service reviews medical evidence after SSA sends your claim. Processing times vary based on case complexity and backlog.
