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Kansas • Mental Health
Kansas offers federal and state benefits for people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, working while disabled, and ABLE accounts. Access employment, income, banking, health coverage, and disability support tailored for Kansans with PTSD.
Federal disability programs—Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)—have clear criteria for PTSD. SSI requires you meet income and asset limits and have a severe, medically documented disability expected to last at least 12 months. SSDI requires you have worked enough to earn sufficient work credits, have a disability that prevents substantial work, and meet medical guidelines set by Social Security. Unlike SSDI, SSI is need-based and does not require a work history. Children with PTSD may qualify on a parent’s record if their disability began before age 22 and they meet adult disability standards as an adult[6].
Kansas uses federal guidelines for SSI and SSDI, but also offers state-specific supports. For public employees (like university workers), the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) Mandatory Retirement Plan provides long-term disability (LTD) benefits if you become disabled for more than 180 days and are approved by the plan. Enrollment is automatic when you join the KBOR Mandatory Retirement Plan[1]. Other Kansas supports include Medicaid waivers, employment services, and assistive technology loans through programs like Working Healthy[4], K-LOAN, and ATK[2]. Medicaid Working Healthy helps Kansans with disabilities work and keep coverage, but program rules and eligibility reviews are changing in 2025 (check www.kancare.ks.gov for updates)[4].
If you have PTSD and live in Kansas, start by gathering your medical records and work history. Apply for SSI/SSDI online at ssa.gov, by phone, or in person at a Social Security office. For Kansas Medicaid, complete an application at KanCare.ks.gov. Contact KansasWORKS for free job support via the Ticket to Work program[5]. For ABLE accounts, sign up at savewithable.com/ks/home.html[3].
SSI/SSDI: These federal programs provide monthly cash benefits to people with disabilities like PTSD who meet medical, financial, and work history requirements. SSI is need-based; SSDI is work-based. Children and adults disabled before age 22 may qualify as a Disabled Adult Child on a parent’s record[6]. Ticket to Work: This free federal program helps SSI/SSDI recipients (ages 18-64) access employment services, career counseling, and job placement without risking benefits[5].
Kansas Medicaid (KanCare): Covers health care for eligible low-income adults and children, including those with PTSD. The Working Healthy program helps employed Kansans with disabilities keep Medicaid coverage[4]. KBOR Long-Term Disability: Available for eligible public university and state employees. Kansas Assistive Technology Programs (ATK/K-LOAN): Help people with disabilities get assistive tech and financial planning[2]. ABLE Accounts: Kansas offers ABLE savings accounts that let residents with disabilities save for qualified expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid; a $100 empowerment grant is available in 2025 for new accounts[3]. KansasWORKS: The state’s Employment Network helps people with disabilities find work and navigate benefits while employed[5].
Kansas residents with disabilities, including PTSD, can open an ABLE account to save for qualified disability expenses without losing eligibility for SSI or Medicaid. Kansas is offering a $100 empowerment grant for new ABLE accounts opened in 2025[3]. Sign up at savewithable.com/ks/home.html.
For SSI, income and asset limits apply—your monthly income must be very low, and you cannot have more than $2,000 in assets ($3,000 for couples). For SSDI, work credits matter more than income. Kansas Medicaid (Working Healthy) also has income limits, but they are higher if you have a disability and work[4].
You must report changes in income, work, living situation, or medical condition to Social Security and Kansas Medicaid to avoid overpayments. Overpayments must be repaid and can lead to benefit loss. For guidance, see our internal guide on Avoiding Overpayments & Reporting Changes.
Open a new Kansas ABLE account in 2025 and receive a $100 empowerment grant. This is a limited-time offer to help Kansans with disabilities start saving for their future[3].
Kansas’s Working Healthy program helps people with PTSD and other disabilities keep Medicaid coverage even if they earn income from work. This is a unique support for Kansans who want to work but need health benefits[4].
Yes, programs like Social Security’s Ticket to Work and Kansas’s Working Healthy let you work, keep some benefits, and access support services. Earnings limits and rules apply—report income to avoid overpayments[4][5].
Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1013, or at a local Social Security office. Collect your medical records and work history before you start[6].
ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities. Kansas offers a grant for new accounts to help you save for qualified expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid[3].
Yes, if you meet income and disability criteria. Working Kansans with PTSD may qualify for Working Healthy to keep Medicaid coverage while employed[4].
KansasWORKS offers free employment services, career counseling, and job placement through the federal Ticket to Work program for SSI/SSDI recipients[2][5].
Yes, Assistive Technology for Kansas (ATK) and K-LOAN provide low-interest loans and savings options for assistive technology to help with daily life[2].
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or medical advice. Always consult official agency websites or a qualified professional for your situation.
You can appeal. Start by requesting reconsideration within 60 days of denial. Seek help from a legal aid or disability advocate.
Report changes in income, work, living situation, or medical condition to Social Security and Kansas Medicaid as soon as possible to avoid overpayments.
Children with PTSD may qualify for SSI if they meet income and disability rules. Benefits typically end at 18 unless the child is still in school or meets adult disability criteria[6].
Yes, if you are in the KBOR Mandatory Retirement Plan and are disabled for over 180 days, you may qualify for long-term disability benefits[1].
