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Louisiana • Physical/Mobility
Louisiana offers federal and state benefits for people with Multiple Sclerosis, including SSDI, SSI, Medicaid, and emergency nutrition assistance. Learn eligibility, how to apply, work rules, and how ABLE accounts can help save for disability-related expenses.
To get Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have a severe medical condition like Multiple Sclerosis that has lasted or is expected to last at least one year and prevents you from working. You also need enough work credits—generally, 40 credits, 20 earned in the last 10 years before your disability began[6].
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for those with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. In 2025, SSI pays up to $967/month for individuals and $1,450/month for couples[10].
For both SSDI and SSI, you cannot earn more than $1,620/month (Substantial Gainful Activity, SGA) in 2025 if you’re not blind; if you do, you may lose benefits[4][5][8]. Blind individuals have a higher SGA limit of $2,700/month[5].
Special work incentives let you test your ability to work for at least nine months (Trial Work Period) without losing SSDI. During this time, you keep full benefits no matter how much you earn, as long as you report your work and still have a disabling impairment[4]. After the trial, if you earn over SGA, benefits may stop, but you have a 36-month safety net (Extended Period of Eligibility) to get benefits in months your earnings drop below SGA[4].
Louisiana follows all federal rules for SSDI and SSI, but state-specific programs can help fill gaps. During federal government shutdowns, Louisiana may provide emergency SNAP (food assistance) to vulnerable households with children, elderly, or disabled members—including those with Multiple Sclerosis[1]. If your household includes only able-bodied adults, you may not qualify for state-funded emergency SNAP[1].
Louisiana Medicaid provides health coverage and, through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, may offer extra supports like personal care, home modifications, or transportation for people with disabilities[internal link: Medicaid Waivers (HCBS)].
The state does not have a separate disability cash assistance program beyond SSI/SSDI. For help with benefits counseling and work incentives, Disability Rights Louisiana can assist, though their Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) program serves Texas, not Louisiana[2].
Always report income and disability status changes promptly to avoid overpayments or benefit loss[internal link: Avoiding Overpayments & Reporting Changes].
Apply online for SSDI/SSI at ssa.gov—this is the fastest way. Gather medical records, work history, and financial info before you start. If you need help, contact a local Social Security office or advocate.
For Louisiana Medicaid, apply online through the Louisiana Department of Health or visit a local office. You can apply for Medicaid at the same time as SSI.
For emergency SNAP, check with the Louisiana Department of Health for updates during federal shutdowns—vulnerable households may get state-funded help[1].
1. Apply for SSDI or SSI
2. Apply for Louisiana Medicaid
3. Apply for SNAP (Food Assistance)
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): Monthly cash benefits if you have enough work credits and your Multiple Sclerosis prevents you from working. Benefits continue if you earn under $1,620/month (2025 SGA limit)[4][5][8]. After a Trial Work Period, special rules protect your benefits if you try to work.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income): Monthly cash assistance based on financial need and disability, with strict income and asset limits. Maximum benefit in 2025 is $967/month (individual)[10].
Medicare: After 24 months of SSDI, you become eligible for Medicare, which covers hospital, medical, and prescription drug services.
Medicaid: A joint federal-state program providing health coverage; in Louisiana, most SSI recipients qualify for Medicaid.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Federal food assistance; Louisiana may provide state-funded emergency SNAP during federal shutdowns to eligible households[1].
ABLE Accounts: Special savings accounts for people with disabilities, letting you save up to $17,000/year (2025 federal limit) without losing SSI or Medicaid eligibility[internal link: ABLE Accounts].
Louisiana supplements federal programs in these ways:
Emergency SNAP: During federal shutdowns, the state may use its own funds to provide emergency food aid to households with children, elderly, or disabled members—including those with Multiple Sclerosis[1].
Medicaid Waivers: Louisiana’s Medicaid program offers Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, which may provide extra supports like personal care, respite, and home modifications for people with disabilities. Eligibility and services vary; check with the Louisiana Medicaid program for details[internal link: Medicaid Waivers (HCBS)].
No State Disability Payment: Louisiana does not have a state-funded disability payment program; SSI and SSDI are the primary sources of cash benefits for people with disabilities.
Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP): Provides temporary cash assistance for families, but is not specifically for disability.
Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP): Offers aid to relatives caring for children, including some with disabilities, but is not a direct disability benefit.
ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save up to $17,000/year (2025 federal limit) without losing SSI or Medicaid. Funds can pay for qualified disability expenses like housing, transportation, education, and healthcare. Louisiana has its own ABLE program; learn more about how these accounts work and how to open one[internal link: ABLE Accounts].
SSI has strict income and asset limits: in 2025, you cannot have more than $2,000 in countable resources ($3,000 for couples), and most income over $20/month is counted against your benefit. The FBR (Federal Benefit Rate) is $967/month for individuals and $1,450/month for couples in 2025[10].
SSDI is not asset-tested, but your earnings cannot exceed $1,620/month (non-blind) in 2025, or you risk losing benefits[4][5][8]. Earnings below this amount may not affect your benefits.
Medicaid and SNAP also have income limits; check with Louisiana’s program for current thresholds.
Always report changes in your work, income, living situation, or health to the Social Security Administration and Louisiana Medicaid. Failing to report can lead to overpayments—money you must pay back. If your income goes above limits, benefits may be reduced or stopped. If you receive too much, you can ask for a waiver or a payment plan[internal link: Avoiding Overpayments & Reporting Changes].
During federal government shutdowns, Louisiana may provide state-funded emergency SNAP benefits to eligible households with children, elderly, or disabled members. Households with only able-bodied adults do not qualify. Check the Louisiana Department of Health for updates, as this assistance is temporary and may change[1].
You can work part-time and keep SSDI or SSI in Louisiana if your earnings stay under federal limits ($1,620/month for non-blind individuals in 2025). Special rules protect your benefits during a Trial Work Period and for 36 months after[4][5]. Always report your work and income to Social Security.
SSDI is based on work history and paid to those with enough work credits. SSI is for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Most Louisianans with disabilities qualify for one or both, depending on their work and financial situation[internal link: SSI vs SSDI].
Yes, you can work part-time and keep benefits if your earnings stay below $1,620/month (non-blind) in 2025. Special work rules and incentives provide a safety net, including a nine-month Trial Work Period for SSDI[4][5]. See our Work Incentives guide for details[internal link: SSI & SSDI Work Incentives].
The maximum federal SSI payment is $967/month for individuals and $1,450/month for couples in 2025. Louisiana does not add a state supplement[10].
Apply online at the Louisiana Department of Health website or in person at a local office. If you receive SSI, you may qualify automatically. Medicaid covers doctor visits, prescriptions, and hospital care. Some people with disabilities may also qualify for extra services through waivers[internal link: Medicaid Waivers (HCBS)].
In 2025, the SGA limit for non-blind individuals is $1,620/month. For blind individuals, it is $2,700/month. If you earn above these amounts, you risk losing SSDI or SSI benefits[4][5][8].
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Benefit rules and amounts change frequently; always check with official agencies for the latest information.
4. Appeal if Denied
5. Report Changes Promptly
For legal rights and advocacy, contact Disability Rights Louisiana, but note their WIPA program is for Texas, not Louisiana[2].
If federal SNAP benefits are interrupted, Louisiana may use state funds to provide emergency food assistance to households with children, elderly, or disabled members—including those with Multiple Sclerosis—but not to households with only able-bodied adults[1].
Yes, an ABLE account lets you save up to $17,000/year (2025 federal limit) for disability-related expenses without affecting SSI or Medicaid eligibility[internal link: ABLE Accounts].
Appeal the decision by following the instructions in your denial letter. You have the right to multiple levels of appeal. Consider contacting a disability advocate or legal aid for help.
Louisiana does not provide a state supplement to the federal SSI benefit. The payment is the same as the federal rate[10].
Contact the Social Security Administration and Louisiana Medicaid immediately if your income, work status, or health changes. Failing to report can lead to overpayments or loss of benefits[internal link: Avoiding Overpayments & Reporting Changes].
