Schizophrenia Benefits in Louisiana: 2025 Guide

• To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes, and your schizophrenia must be severe enough to prevent you from working for at least 12 months.
• For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must have limited income and resources, and your schizophrenia must meet SSA’s disability criteria.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a list of impairments, including schizophrenia, to decide if your condition is severe enough. You must provide medical records and work history.
• In 2025, the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals. Earning above this may affect your benefits.
• You may also qualify for Medicaid if you get SSI or meet other low-income requirements.

Sources: SSA Disability Eligibility, SSA Qualify for Disability

• In Louisiana, people with schizophrenia may qualify for Medicaid waivers, such as the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver, which helps with long-term care and support services.
• Louisiana provides state-funded emergency SNAP benefits for vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities, starting November 1, 2025. Households with only able-bodied adults do not qualify.
• The state also offers free benefits counseling through Disability Rights Louisiana’s Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) program. This helps you understand how work affects your benefits.
• To get state-specific help, contact the Louisiana Department of Health or Disability Rights Louisiana.

Sources: LDH SNAP Emergency Aid, Disability Rights Louisiana WIPA

• Gather your medical records and work history.
• Apply for SSI/SSDI online at SSA.gov or at your local Social Security office.
• Apply for Medicaid through Louisiana’s Department of Health or online at GeauxAccess.
• Contact Disability Rights Louisiana for free benefits counseling.
• If you need emergency food help, check if you qualify for state-funded SNAP aid.

• Step 1: Get your medical records. You’ll need documentation from doctors, therapists, or hospitals that shows your schizophrenia diagnosis and how it affects your ability to work.
• Step 2: Apply for SSI/SSDI. You can apply online at SSA.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local Social Security office. The application asks for personal info, work history, and medical details.
• Step 3: Apply for Medicaid. If you get SSI or have low income, you may qualify for Medicaid. Apply online at GeauxAccess or by phone at 1-855-229-5927.
• Step 4: Get benefits counseling. Contact Disability Rights Louisiana’s WIPA program for free help understanding how work affects your benefits. Call 1-866-968-7842 or visit their website.
• Step 5: Check for emergency aid. If you need food help, see if you qualify for state-funded SNAP benefits. These are available for households with elderly, disabled, or children starting November 1, 2025.
• Step 6: Report changes. If your income, work, or living situation changes, report it to Social Security and Medicaid to avoid overpayments.

Sources: SSA Apply for Disability, GeauxAccess, Disability Rights Louisiana WIPA

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Monthly payments for people with low income and resources.
• Medicaid: Health coverage for people with disabilities and low income.
• Medicare: Health coverage for people on SSDI after 24 months.
• SNAP: Food benefits for low-income households.
• Work Incentives: Programs that help you keep benefits while working.

Sources: SSA Disability Programs

• Louisiana Medicaid Waivers: Programs like HCBS provide long-term care and support services for people with disabilities.
• State-Funded SNAP Emergency Aid: Temporary food benefits for vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities, starting November 1, 2025.
• Disability Rights Louisiana WIPA: Free benefits counseling and work incentives planning for people with disabilities.
• Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP): Cash assistance for families with children.
• Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP): Support for relatives caring for children.

Sources: LDH SNAP Emergency Aid, Disability Rights Louisiana WIPA

• ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits.
• You can save up to $17,000 per year in 2025, and the first $100,000 is not counted for SSI.
• Louisiana offers ABLE accounts through the state’s ABLE program.

Sources: Louisiana ABLE Program

• For SSI in 2025, the federal income limit is $943 per month for an individual.
• The SGA limit for SSDI is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals.
• Medicaid income limits vary by program and household size.

Sources: SSA SSI Limits, SSA SGA Limits

• Report changes in income, work, or living situation to Social Security and Medicaid to avoid overpayments.
• If you get too much money, you may have to pay it back.
• Use the SSA’s online portal or call your local office to report changes.

Sources: SSA Reporting Changes

• Disability Rights Louisiana
  Phone: 1-866-968-7842

  TTY: 1-866-833-2967

  Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-8pm

  Website

  Free benefits counseling and work incentives planning
• Louisiana Department of Health
  Phone: 1-855-229-5927

  Website

  Medicaid, SNAP, and other state benefits

• Can schizophrenia qualify for disability benefits in Louisiana?

  Yes, schizophrenia can qualify for SSI or SSDI if it meets Social Security’s criteria. You must provide medical proof and show it prevents you from working for at least 12 months.

• What is the income limit for SSI in Louisiana in 2025?

  The federal SSI income limit in 2025 is $943 per month for an individual. Louisiana does not add a state supplement.

• How do I apply for Medicaid in Louisiana if I have schizophrenia?

  You can apply for Medicaid online at GeauxAccess, by phone, or in person. If you get SSI, you may automatically qualify for Medicaid.

• Are there work incentives for people with schizophrenia in Louisiana?

  Yes, Louisiana offers free benefits counseling through Disability Rights Louisiana’s WIPA program. This helps you understand how work affects your benefits.

• What emergency aid is available for people with schizophrenia in Louisiana?

  Louisiana provides state-funded SNAP benefits for vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities, starting November 1, 2025. Households with only able-bodied adults do not qualify.

• How much can I earn and still get SSDI in Louisiana?

  In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals. Earning above this may affect your SSDI benefits.

• Can I save money in an ABLE account if I have schizophrenia?