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Kansas • Neurodegenerative
People with Parkinson’s Disease in Kansas may qualify for federal disability benefits, state programs, and financial tools. This guide explains eligibility, how to apply, and where to get help.
To qualify for federal disability benefits with Parkinson’s Disease, you must meet Social Security Administration (SSA) criteria. This means your condition must prevent you from working for at least 12 months and match the SSA’s definition of disability. You must also have enough work credits for SSDI or meet income and asset limits for SSI. Children with disabilities may qualify for benefits if their parent receives Social Security benefits. Adults with a disability that began before age 22 may also qualify for benefits based on a parent’s record. Working while disabled is possible, but earnings must stay below certain limits to keep benefits.
In Kansas, people with Parkinson’s Disease may qualify for state-specific programs. Public employees covered by the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) Mandatory Retirement Plan are automatically enrolled in a Long Term Disability (LTD) plan. LTD benefits are 60% of monthly compensation, with a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $5,000 per month. You must be disabled for more than 180 days and approved for LTD benefits. Kansas also offers Medicaid waivers for home and community-based services, ABLE accounts for saving without losing benefits, and employment support through the Ticket to Work program. Assistive technology loans are available through the Kansas Assistive Technology Loan Program (K-LOAN).
Step 1: Review the SSA’s disability criteria for Parkinson’s Disease. Make sure your condition prevents you from working for at least 12 months.
Step 2: Collect medical records, doctor’s notes, and work history. These documents are needed for your application.
Step 3: Apply for SSDI or SSI online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at your local SSA office.
Step 4: If you are a public employee, contact your Human Resources department to apply for KBOR LTD benefits. You must be disabled for more than 180 days and get approval.
Step 5: Apply for Medicaid waivers for home and community-based services. Visit KanCare for more information.
Step 6: Open an ABLE account to save for disability expenses without losing benefits. Apply online at savewithable.com.
Step 7: Contact KANSASWORKS for employment support through the Ticket to Work program. They can help with career counseling, job placement, and training.
Step 8: Apply for assistive technology loans through K-LOAN if you need financial help for equipment.
Step 9: Report any changes in your situation to avoid overpayments.
SSA Disability Application (accessed 2025-11-05)
KanCare Medicaid Waivers (accessed 2025-11-05)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Provides monthly payments to people with disabilities who have worked and paid Social Security taxes.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Provides monthly payments to people with disabilities who have limited income and resources.
Medicaid: Provides health coverage to people with disabilities who meet income and asset limits.
Medicare: Provides health coverage to people with disabilities after receiving SSDI for 24 months.
Ticket to Work: Provides free employment services to help people with disabilities find and keep jobs.
SSA Disability Benefits (accessed 2025-11-05)
Medicaid (accessed 2025-11-05)
Medicare (accessed 2025-11-05)
Ticket to Work (accessed 2025-11-05)
KBOR Long Term Disability (LTD): Provides monthly benefits to public employees with disabilities. Benefits are 60% of monthly compensation, with a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $5,000 per month.
Medicaid Waivers: Provide home and community-based services for people with disabilities. These waivers help with personal care, respite care, and other supports.
ABLE Accounts: Allow people with disabilities to save for disability expenses without losing eligibility for SSI or Medicaid.
K-LOAN: Provides low-interest loans and savings programs for assistive technology.
Ticket to Work: Connects people with disabilities to free employment services, including career counseling and job placement.
KBOR LTD Plan (accessed 2025-11-05)
ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save for future expenses without losing eligibility for SSI or Medicaid. In Kansas, you can open an ABLE account online at savewithable.com. There are no limits on how much you can save, but annual contributions are capped. Funds can be used for qualified disability expenses like housing, education, and transportation.
For SSI, the income limit in 2025 is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple. For SSDI, there is no income limit, but you must not earn more than $1,620 per month ($2,700 if blind) to keep benefits. Medicaid income limits vary by program and household size.
It is important to report any changes in your income, resources, or living situation to avoid overpayments. Overpayments can happen if you do not report changes or if your situation changes. If you receive an overpayment, you may have to pay it back. You can avoid overpayments by reporting changes as soon as they happen.
Contact your local SSA office or KANSASWORKS for help with your application. They can guide you through the process and answer your questions.
Yes, if your Parkinson’s Disease meets federal disability criteria, you can get SSDI or SSI. Public employees may also qualify for KBOR LTD benefits. You must be disabled for more than 180 days and get approval.
You can apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at your local SSA office. You will need medical records and work history to complete your application.
The KBOR LTD plan provides monthly benefits to public employees with disabilities. Benefits are 60% of monthly compensation, with a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $5,000 per month. You must be disabled for more than 180 days and get approval.
Yes, you can work while receiving disability benefits through programs like Ticket to Work. These programs help you prepare for work, find a job, and keep your benefits while you work.
Medicaid waivers provide home and community-based services for people with disabilities. These waivers help with personal care, respite care, and other supports. You must meet income and asset limits to qualify.
You can open an ABLE account online at savewithable.com. ABLE accounts let you save for disability expenses without losing eligibility for SSI or Medicaid.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Always check with official agencies for the most up-to-date information.
Kansas ABLE Account (accessed 2025-11-05)
K-LOAN (accessed 2025-11-05)
KANSASWORKS (accessed 2025-11-05)
KanCare Medicaid Waivers (accessed 2025-11-05)
Kansas ABLE Account (accessed 2025-11-05)
K-LOAN (accessed 2025-11-05)
KANSASWORKS (accessed 2025-11-05)
K-LOAN is a consumer-run financial program that provides low-interest loans and savings programs for assistive technology. It helps people with disabilities get the equipment they need to live and work independently.
You can get employment support through KANSASWORKS and the Ticket to Work program. These programs offer career counseling, job placement, and training for people with disabilities.
You must report any changes in your income, resources, or living situation to avoid overpayments. Reporting changes as soon as they happen helps you keep your benefits.
Yes, SSI has income limits of $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple. SSDI has no income limit, but you must not earn more than $1,620 per month ($2,700 if blind) to keep benefits.
