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Iowa • Neurological/Developmental
People with Tourette Syndrome in Iowa may qualify for federal and state disability benefits. Eligibility depends on how the condition affects your ability to work and meet income or work history requirements. This guide explains how to apply and what programs are available.
To qualify for federal disability benefits, you must have a condition that prevents you from working for at least a year. For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you usually need 40 work credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years. For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your income and resources must be below certain limits. Tourette Syndrome can qualify if it severely limits your ability to work. The Social Security Administration reviews medical records and work history to decide eligibility[1].
Iowa does not have a state short-term disability insurance program like California. Most people with Tourette Syndrome in Iowa rely on federal programs such as SSDI and SSI. If you need long-term support, you may qualify for Medicaid waivers, which help pay for home and community-based services. To qualify, you must meet both medical and financial requirements. Iowa also offers ABLE accounts, which let you save money without affecting your benefits[2].
The main federal programs for people with Tourette Syndrome are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. SSI is for people with limited income and resources. Both programs provide monthly payments and may include access to Medicare or Medicaid[5].
Iowa does not have a state short-term disability program. However, Iowa offers Medicaid waivers for people who need long-term support. These waivers can help pay for home care, therapy, and other services. Iowa also has ABLE accounts, which let you save money for disability-related expenses without affecting your benefits. To learn more, contact the Iowa Department of Human Services or visit their website[6].
ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money without losing benefits. In Iowa, you can open an ABLE account to save for disability-related expenses. The account grows tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified expenses do not affect SSI or Medicaid eligibility. To open an account, visit the Iowa ABLE website[7].
For SSI, your income and resources must be below certain limits. In 2025, the federal SSI income limit is $943 per month for an individual. Iowa does not add a state supplement to SSI. For SSDI, there is no income limit, but you must have a qualifying work history[8].
If your income or health changes, you must report it to avoid overpayments. Overpayments can happen if you get too much in benefits. To avoid this, report changes promptly to Social Security or the Iowa Department of Human Services. If you get an overpayment, you may need to repay it or set up a payment plan[9].
Contact your local Social Security office or Iowa Department of Human Services for help with your application. Disability advocates can also provide support.
Yes, Tourette Syndrome can qualify for federal disability benefits in Iowa if it prevents you from working for at least a year. You must meet medical and financial requirements for SSDI or SSI.
No, Iowa does not have a state short-term disability program. Most people with Tourette Syndrome rely on federal programs like SSDI and SSI for support.
Medicaid waivers in Iowa help pay for long-term services like home care or therapy for people with disabilities. You must meet medical and financial requirements to qualify.
You can apply for SSDI or SSI online at SSA.gov or at your local Social Security office. You will need medical records and work history to support your claim.
An ABLE account in Iowa lets you save money for disability-related expenses without affecting your benefits. The account grows tax-free and can be used for qualified expenses.
Yes, you must report changes in income or health to avoid overpayments. Report changes promptly to Social Security or the Iowa Department of Human Services.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Always check with official agencies for the most current rules and eligibility.
Yes, you can work while getting disability benefits. Social Security has work incentives that let you keep benefits while you try to work. Talk to a benefits counselor for details.
It can take several months to get an initial decision on a disability claim. Most people are initially denied and need to appeal. The process can take up to two years if you go to a hearing.
If you are denied, you can appeal the decision. You may need to provide more medical evidence or go to a hearing. Consider getting help from a disability advocate.
You can get help from a disability advocate, legal aid, or your local Social Security office. They can help you fill out forms and gather evidence for your claim.
