Kidney Disease Benefits in Louisiana: 2025 Guide

To qualify for federal disability benefits like SSI or SSDI, you must have a medical condition that prevents you from working for at least 12 months. For kidney disease, this means your condition must be severe enough to stop you from doing substantial work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a list of impairments called the Blue Book. Kidney disease is listed under Section 6.00. If your condition matches or is as severe as the listing, you may qualify. You must also meet work credit requirements for SSDI or income/resource limits for SSI. In 2025, the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals. If you earn more than this, you may not qualify for SSDI. SSI has strict income and asset limits. Both programs require regular reporting of changes in your health or income[6][9].

In Louisiana, people with kidney disease may qualify for Medicaid waivers, which provide home and community-based services. The state also offers emergency SNAP aid for households with elderly, disabled, or children members. If you are disabled and receive SNAP, you may be eligible for state-funded assistance if federal benefits are interrupted. Louisiana does not provide separate state disability benefits, but you can get help through federal programs and state agencies. The Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs can help you find resources and support. To qualify for state aid, you must meet federal eligibility rules and be part of a household with a disabled member, child, or elderly person[1][7][8].

• Check if your kidney disease meets SSA’s Blue Book listing.
• Gather medical records and work history.
• Apply for SSI/SSDI online, by phone, or at a local SSA office.
• Apply for Medicaid and SNAP through Louisiana’s Department of Health or online.
• Contact the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs for help with applications.

• Step 1: Review the SSA Blue Book (Section 6.00) to see if your kidney disease qualifies. If not, you may still qualify if your condition is as severe as a listed impairment.
• Step 2: Collect medical records, lab results, and a statement from your doctor about your condition and how it limits your ability to work.
• Step 3: Apply for SSI/SSDI online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local SSA office. You can also apply for Medicaid and SNAP at the same time through Louisiana’s Department of Health.
• Step 4: If you are denied, you can appeal within 60 days. You may need to provide more medical evidence.
• Step 5: Report any changes in your health, income, or living situation to SSA and Louisiana agencies to avoid overpayments.
• Step 6: If you are working, report your earnings to SSA. If you earn less than $1,620/month in 2025, you may still qualify for SSDI.
• Step 7: Apply for Medicaid waivers and other state programs through the Louisiana Department of Health or the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs[6][7][8][1].

• SSI (Supplemental Security Income): Provides monthly cash payments to people with disabilities who have limited income and resources. In 2025, the maximum SSI payment is $967 for an individual and $1,450 for a couple[8].
• SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): Provides monthly payments to people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. In 2025, the maximum SSDI payment is about $3,917 per month, with a 2.5% cost-of-living increase[2][3].
• Medicaid: Provides health coverage to people with disabilities who meet income and asset limits. Medicaid covers dialysis, kidney transplants, and other treatments for kidney disease.
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Provides food benefits to low-income individuals and families. In 2025, Louisiana is providing emergency state-funded SNAP aid for households with elderly, disabled, or children members[1].

• Medicaid Waivers (HCBS): Louisiana offers Medicaid waivers for people with disabilities, including kidney disease. These waivers provide home and community-based services, such as personal care, respite care, and transportation to medical appointments. To apply, contact the Louisiana Department of Health or the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs[7].
• Emergency SNAP Aid: Louisiana is providing emergency state-funded SNAP aid for households with elderly, disabled, or children members. This aid is available if federal SNAP benefits are interrupted. Households with only able-bodied adults do not qualify for this state aid[1].
• Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP): Provides cash assistance to families with children. FITAP benefits are not affected by the federal shutdown and continue to be provided[1].
• Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP): Provides financial support to relatives caring for children. KCSP benefits are also not affected by the federal shutdown[1].
• ABLE Accounts: Louisiana offers ABLE accounts, which allow people with disabilities to save money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. These accounts can be used for disability-related expenses, including medical care and housing[8].

Louisiana offers ABLE accounts for people with disabilities. These accounts let you save money for disability-related expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. You can use ABLE funds for medical care, housing, education, and other needs. To open an ABLE account, visit the Louisiana ABLE program website or contact the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs[8].

In 2025, the SSI income limit is $967 per month for an individual and $1,450 for a couple. The SSDI SGA limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals. If you earn more than the SGA limit, you may lose SSDI benefits. Medicaid and SNAP have their own income and asset limits, which vary by household size and composition[8][9].

You must report any changes in your health, income, or living situation to SSA and Louisiana agencies. If you do not report changes, you may get an overpayment and have to pay it back. To avoid overpayments, report changes as soon as they happen. If you get an overpayment notice, contact SSA or Louisiana agencies to set up a repayment plan[6][9].

• Louisiana Department of Health
  Phone: 1-855-229-6848

  Website

  For SNAP, Medicaid, and emergency aid.
• Social Security Administration
  Phone: 1-800-772-1213

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Website

  For SSI, SSDI, and work incentives.
• Governor's Office of Disability Affairs
  Phone: 225-342-0111

  Email: [email protected]

  Website

  For state disability resources and support.

• Can kidney disease qualify for disability benefits in Louisiana?

  Yes, kidney disease can qualify for SSI or SSDI if it prevents you from working for at least 12 months. You must meet SSA’s medical and work requirements. Louisiana also offers Medicaid waivers and emergency SNAP aid for people with disabilities.

• What is the SGA limit for SSDI in 2025?

  In 2025, the SGA limit for SSDI is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals. If you earn more than this, you may not qualify for SSDI. The limit is slightly higher for blind individuals.

• How do I apply for Medicaid waivers in Louisiana?

  To apply for Medicaid waivers in Louisiana, contact the Louisiana Department of Health or the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs. You will need to provide medical records and proof of income and assets.

• What is emergency SNAP aid in Louisiana?

  Emergency SNAP aid is state-funded food assistance for households with elderly, disabled, or children members. It is available if federal SNAP benefits are interrupted. Households with only able-bodied adults do not qualify.

• Can I work and still get SSDI in Louisiana?

  Yes, you can work and still get SSDI if you earn less than $1,620 per month in 2025. The SSA has work incentives, such as the Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility, to help you test your ability to work.

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

  An ABLE account lets people with disabilities save money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. Funds can be used for medical care, housing, education, and other disability-related expenses.