Amputation Benefits in Louisiana

To qualify for federal disability benefits after an amputation, you must have a medical condition that prevents you from working for at least 12 months and meets Social Security’s definition of disability. You must also have enough work credits for SSDI or meet income and asset limits for SSI. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a medical guide called the Blue Book to decide if your amputation qualifies. If you have a major amputation (like above the knee or hand), you may automatically qualify. If not, you must show your condition prevents you from doing substantial work. In 2025, substantial work means earning more than $1,620 per month (for non-blind people). If you earn less, you may still get benefits. Family members may also qualify for benefits if you get SSDI.

Source: SSA [Accessed: 2025-11-05]

In Louisiana, people with amputations may qualify for state-funded emergency food aid if they are elderly, disabled, or have children in their household. This aid is provided when federal SNAP benefits are interrupted, such as during a government shutdown. Louisiana does not have a separate state disability cash benefit, but people with amputations may qualify for Medicaid waivers that help pay for home care, equipment, or therapy. The Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs can help with questions about state services and rights. Louisiana also offers ABLE accounts for people with disabilities to save money without losing benefits.

Source: LDH [Accessed: 2025-11-05] Source: GACDA [Accessed: 2025-11-05]

• Check if your amputation meets Social Security’s disability rules.
• Apply for SSDI or SSI online, by phone, or at a local Social Security office.
• If you need food help, apply for SNAP through the Louisiana Department of Health.
• Ask about Medicaid waivers for home care or equipment.
• Consider opening an ABLE account to save money.
• Contact Disability Rights Louisiana for free benefits counseling.

• Step 1: Review the SSA’s disability rules for amputation. If you have a major amputation, you may qualify automatically. If not, gather medical records showing your condition prevents work.
• Step 2: Apply for SSDI or SSI online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local Social Security office. You’ll need your Social Security number, medical records, and work history.
• Step 3: If you need food help, apply for SNAP through the Louisiana Department of Health. You can apply online, by mail, or in person. If there’s a federal shutdown, Louisiana provides emergency food aid for vulnerable groups.
• Step 4: Ask about Medicaid waivers for home care, equipment, or therapy. These waivers help pay for services not covered by regular Medicaid.
• Step 5: Consider opening an ABLE account to save money without losing benefits. ABLE accounts let you save up to $100,000 without affecting SSI or Medicaid.
• Step 6: Contact Disability Rights Louisiana for free benefits counseling and help with work incentives.

Source: SSA [Accessed: 2025-11-05] Source: LDH [Accessed: 2025-11-05] Source: DRLA [Accessed: 2025-11-05]

• SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): Monthly cash payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes. You must have a disability that prevents work for 12+ months.
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income): Monthly cash payments for people with low income and assets who have a disability.
• Medicaid: Health care for people with low income and disabilities. In Louisiana, Medicaid covers many services for people with amputations.
• SNAP: Food benefits for low-income people. Louisiana provides emergency food aid for vulnerable groups during federal shutdowns.
• Medicare: Health care for people on SSDI after 24 months.
• Work Incentives: Programs that let you try working without losing benefits immediately.

Source: SSA [Accessed: 2025-11-05] Source: LDH [Accessed: 2025-11-05]

• Emergency Food Aid: Louisiana provides temporary state-funded food assistance for SNAP recipients who are elderly, disabled, or have children in their household during federal shutdowns.
• Medicaid Waivers: Louisiana offers Medicaid waivers for home care, equipment, and therapy for people with disabilities. These waivers help pay for services not covered by regular Medicaid.
• ABLE Accounts: Louisiana ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money without losing benefits. You can save up to $100,000 without affecting SSI or Medicaid.
• Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs: This office helps with questions about state services and rights for people with disabilities.
• Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA): Free benefits counseling and work incentives planning for people with disabilities who want to work.

Source: LDH [Accessed: 2025-11-05] Source: GACDA [Accessed: 2025-11-05] Source: DRLA [Accessed: 2025-11-05]

Louisiana ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money without losing benefits. You can save up to $100,000 without affecting SSI or Medicaid. ABLE accounts can be used for expenses like housing, education, transportation, and health care. To open an account, you must have a disability that started before age 26. You can apply online at the Louisiana ABLE website.

Source: GACDA [Accessed: 2025-11-05]

For SSI in 2025, the federal income limit is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple. Louisiana does not have a separate state disability cash benefit, but Medicaid and SNAP have their own income limits. For Medicaid, the income limit is 138% of the federal poverty level. For SNAP, the limit is 130% of the federal poverty level. ABLE accounts do not count toward SSI or Medicaid income limits.

Source: SSA [Accessed: 2025-11-05]

If you get too much money from SSI or SSDI, you may have to pay it back. Report changes in income, living situation, or work to the Social Security Administration right away. You can report changes online, by phone, or in person. If you don’t report changes, you may get an overpayment. If you get an overpayment, you can ask for a waiver or set up a payment plan.

Source: SSA [Accessed: 2025-11-05]

• Louisiana Department of Health
  Phone: 1-888-346-5532

  Website

  For SNAP, Medicaid, and emergency food aid.
• Disability Rights Louisiana
  Phone: 1-866-968-7842

  TTY: 1-866-833-2967

  Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm

  Website

  Free benefits counseling and work incentives planning.
• Governor's Office of Disability Affairs
  Phone: (225) 219-7553

  Website

  State disability services and rights.

• Can I get disability benefits after an amputation in Louisiana?

  Yes, if your amputation prevents you from working for at least 12 months and meets Social Security’s disability rules. You may qualify for SSDI or SSI. Major amputations often qualify automatically.

• What is the income limit for SSI in Louisiana?

  In 2025, the federal income limit for SSI is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple. Louisiana does not have a separate state disability cash benefit.

• Does Louisiana have a state disability cash benefit?

  No, Louisiana does not have a separate state disability cash benefit. People with disabilities may qualify for federal SSDI or SSI, Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs.

• What is an ABLE account and how can it help me?

  An ABLE account lets people with disabilities save money without losing benefits. You can save up to $100,000 without affecting SSI or Medicaid. Funds can be used for expenses like housing, education, and health care.

• Can I work while getting disability benefits?

  Yes, Social Security has work incentives that let you try working without losing benefits immediately. You can earn up to $1,620 per month in 2025 and still get benefits.

• What happens to my SNAP benefits during a federal shutdown?

  During a federal shutdown, Louisiana provides emergency state-funded food aid for SNAP recipients who are elderly, disabled, or have children in their household.