Depression Benefits in Louisiana: 2025 Guide

• Depression is a recognized disability if it severely limits your ability to work or do daily activities.
• To qualify for SSI, you must have limited income and resources, and your depression must meet SSA’s definition of disability.
• For SSDI, you need enough work credits and a disabling condition that stops you from working.
• The SSA looks at how depression affects your ability to keep a job, follow instructions, interact with others, and handle stress.
• You must provide medical records and work history to prove your case.
• If approved, you may get monthly payments and access to Medicaid or Medicare.
• The 2025 SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity) limit is $1,620/month for non-blind individuals. Earnings below this may not stop your benefits.
• The Trial Work Period lets you test work for up to 9 months without losing SSDI.
• After the Trial Work Period, you have a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility where you can get benefits if your earnings drop below SGA.
• If you can’t work due to depression, you may also qualify for Medicaid, SNAP, and other help.
• The 2025 COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) is expected to increase benefits by about 2.5%.

Sources: SSA Disability Qualifications, SSA Work Rules 2025, SSA 2025 SGA Limits

• Louisiana offers emergency state-funded SNAP benefits for households with elderly, disabled, or children during federal shutdowns. Able-bodied adults without these members do not get state aid.
• If you have depression and live with a child, elderly, or disabled person, you may get emergency food help if federal SNAP stops.
• Louisiana’s Medicaid program covers mental health services, including therapy and medication for depression.
• The state’s ABLE program lets you save money without losing SSI or Medicaid.
• Louisiana’s Department of Health and Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs provide resources and support for people with disabilities.
• Work incentives and free benefits counseling are available through Disability Rights Louisiana.
• If you are working or want to work, you can get help understanding how earnings affect your benefits.
• Louisiana’s Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) and Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) are not affected by federal shutdowns.
• The state encourages able-bodied adults to seek jobs and leave SNAP, but those with disabilities are protected.

Sources: LDH Emergency SNAP Aid, Governor’s Emergency Declaration, Disability Rights Louisiana WIPA, Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs, Louisiana Medicaid

• Check if you meet federal SSI/SSDI rules for depression.
• Gather medical records and work history.
• Apply online at SSA.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
• For Medicaid, apply through Louisiana’s Access Health portal.
• For SNAP, apply at your local Department of Social Services office.
• For ABLE, apply through the Louisiana ABLE program.
• For work incentives or benefits counseling, contact Disability Rights Louisiana.

• Step 1: Review SSA’s disability criteria for depression. Make sure your condition meets the requirements.
• Step 2: Collect medical records, doctor’s notes, and a list of treatments for your depression.
• Step 3: Get your work history and pay stubs ready.
• Step 4: Apply for SSI/SSDI online at SSA.gov, by phone, or in person at a local SSA office.
• Step 5: If denied, you can appeal within 60 days.
• Step 6: Apply for Medicaid through Access Health Louisiana. You can do this online or by phone.
• Step 7: Apply for SNAP at your local Department of Social Services office or online.
• Step 8: For ABLE, visit the Louisiana ABLE program website and apply.
• Step 9: If you want to work, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 for free benefits counseling.
• Step 10: Contact Disability Rights Louisiana for help with work incentives and understanding how benefits are affected by work.
• Step 11: Report any changes in income, living situation, or health to SSA and Medicaid to avoid overpayments.
• Step 12: Keep copies of all applications and correspondence.

Sources: SSA Apply for Benefits, Access Health Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Social Services, Louisiana ABLE, Disability Rights Louisiana WIPA

• SSI (Supplemental Security Income): Monthly cash payments for people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65+.
• SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes but can’t work due to disability.
• Medicaid: Health coverage for low-income people, including those with disabilities.
• Medicare: Health coverage for people with disabilities after 24 months of SSDI.
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Food benefits for low-income households.
• Work Incentives: Programs that let you try work without losing benefits.
• ABLE Accounts: Tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities.

Sources: SSA Disability Programs, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP

• Emergency SNAP Aid: Louisiana provides state-funded food benefits for households with elderly, disabled, or children during federal shutdowns.
• Medicaid: Covers mental health services, therapy, and medication for depression.
• ABLE Accounts: Louisiana’s ABLE program lets you save money without losing SSI or Medicaid.
• Work Incentives Counseling: Disability Rights Louisiana offers free help with work incentives and benefits planning.
• Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP): Cash assistance for families with children.
• Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP): Support for relatives caring for children.
• Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs: Advocacy and resources for people with disabilities.
• Disability Rights Louisiana: Legal help and benefits counseling.

Sources: LDH Emergency SNAP Aid, Louisiana Medicaid, , , ,

• ABLE accounts let you save up to $18,000 per year without losing SSI or Medicaid.
• Funds can be used for housing, education, transportation, and other disability-related expenses.
• Louisiana’s ABLE program is open to residents with disabilities that started before age 26.
• You can open an account online at the Louisiana ABLE website.
• ABLE accounts do not count toward SSI’s $2,000 resource limit.

Sources: Louisiana ABLE

• SSI: Income and resource limits apply. In 2025, the federal SSI payment is about $943/month for individuals.
• SSDI: No income limit, but you must not earn more than $1,620/month (SGA) to keep benefits.
• Medicaid: Income limits vary by program. For most, you must earn less than 138% of the federal poverty level.
• SNAP: Income limits depend on household size. For a household of 1, gross monthly income must be less than $1,573 in 2025.

Sources: SSA SSI Limits, SSA SGA Limits, Louisiana Medicaid, SNAP Income Limits

• Report any changes in income, living situation, or health to SSA and Medicaid within 10 days.
• Overpayments can happen if you don’t report changes or if you earn too much.
• If you get an overpayment notice, you can request a waiver or set up a repayment plan.
• Keep records of all reports and correspondence.
• For help, see the SSI & SSDI Work Incentives guide.

Sources: SSA Reporting Changes, Avoiding Overpayments Guide [internal link]

• Social Security Administration
  Phone: 1-800-772-1213

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Hours: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

  Website

  Apply for SSI/SSDI or get help with benefits.
• Disability Rights Louisiana
  Phone: 1-800-960-7705

  TTY: 1-800-960-7706

  Email: [email protected]

  Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

  Website

  Free benefits counseling and legal help.
• Louisiana Department of Health
  Phone: 1-855-229-6848

  Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

  Website

  Medicaid, SNAP, and health services.

• Can depression qualify for disability benefits in Louisiana?

  Yes, if your depression is severe and stops you from working or doing daily activities, you may qualify for SSI or SSDI. You need medical proof and must meet SSA’s disability criteria.

• How do I apply for SSI or SSDI for depression in Louisiana?

  You can apply online at SSA.gov, by phone, or in person. You’ll need medical records and work history. The process can take several months.

• What help is available for food if SNAP stops?

  Louisiana provides emergency state-funded SNAP for households with elderly, disabled, or children during federal shutdowns. Able-bodied adults without these members do not get aid.

• Can I work and still get disability benefits for depression?

  Yes, you can try work through the Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility. If your earnings are below $1,620/month, you may keep benefits.

• Does Louisiana Medicaid cover depression treatment?

  Yes, Louisiana Medicaid covers therapy, medication, and other mental health services for depression.

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

  An ABLE account lets you save money for disability-related expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid. Louisiana’s program is open to residents with disabilities that started before age 26.

• Where can I get free help applying for benefits in Louisiana?