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Missouri • Speech/Language
If you have aphasia in Missouri, you may qualify for federal disability benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Missouri also offers state programs, Medicaid waivers, and ABLE accounts to help with healthcare, income, and savings. This guide covers eligibility, how to apply, and key changes for 2025.
To qualify for federal disability benefits with aphasia, you must meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disability. This means your aphasia must be severe enough to prevent you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You must also meet work credit requirements for SSDI or income/resource limits for SSI. The SSA reviews medical records, work history, and daily functioning to decide eligibility. For adults, the disability must have started before age 22 to qualify for Disabled Adult Child benefits on a parent’s record. The Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit for 2025 is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 for blind individuals. Earning above this limit may affect your benefits.
In Missouri, aphasia may qualify you for state-specific programs like MO HealthNet (Medicaid) and Medicaid waivers for home and community-based services (HCBS). To qualify for MO HealthNet, your income must be below certain limits, which are updated annually. For 2025, the maximum annual income for a household of one is $13,303 for MO HealthNet for the Aged and Disabled and $15,650 for MO HealthNet for the Blind. Missouri also offers the MO ABLE program, which allows individuals with disabilities to save money without losing federal benefits. To qualify for the MO ABLE program, you must have a disability that began before age 26 and meet SSA criteria for disability.
Step 1: Collect all medical records, including diagnosis, treatment, and how aphasia affects daily life.
Step 2: Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply for SSDI or SSI. You can apply online, by phone, or in person.
Step 3: If you need healthcare, apply for MO HealthNet through the Family Support Division (FSD) office or online.
Step 4: If you need home and community-based services, apply for a Medicaid waiver through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Step 5: If you want to save money without losing benefits, open an ABLE account through the MO ABLE program.
Step 6: Report any changes in income, work, or health to Social Security and MO HealthNet to avoid overpayments.
SSA Apply for Benefits (accessed 2025-11-06)
MO HealthNet Application (accessed 2025-11-06)
MO ABLE Program (accessed 2025-11-06)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Monthly payments based on work history.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Monthly payments based on income and resources.
Medicare: Health insurance for those on SSDI after 24 months.
Medicaid: Health insurance for those on SSI or with low income.
Ticket to Work: Employment support program.
SSA Disability Programs (accessed 2025-11-06)
Medicare for Disabled (accessed 2025-11-06)
MO HealthNet: Medicaid for low-income individuals with disabilities.
Medicaid Waivers (HCBS): Services for home and community-based care.
MO ABLE Program: Tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities.
Vocational Rehabilitation: Employment and training services.
Show Me Employment Project: Employment support for people with disabilities.
MO HealthNet (accessed 2025-11-06)
Medicaid Waivers (accessed 2025-11-06)
MO ABLE Program (accessed 2025-11-06)
Vocational Rehabilitation (accessed 2025-11-06)
Show Me Employment Project (accessed 2025-11-06)
The MO ABLE program lets people with disabilities save money without losing federal benefits. You can save up to $17,000 per year (2025 limit) and the account grows tax-free. Funds can be used for qualified disability expenses like education, housing, and transportation. To qualify, you must have a disability that began before age 26 and meet SSA criteria for disability.
For 2025, the maximum annual income for MO HealthNet for the Aged and Disabled is $13,303 for a household of one. For MO HealthNet for the Blind, it is $15,650 for a household of one. The SGA limit for SSDI is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 for blind individuals.
You must report any changes in income, work, or health to Social Security and MO HealthNet to avoid overpayments. Overpayments can result in repayment or benefit suspension. Report changes as soon as possible to avoid penalties.
In 2025, Social Security Disability benefits will increase by 2.5% due to the cost-of-living adjustment. This means your monthly payment will be higher to help keep up with inflation.
Yes, aphasia can qualify for SSDI or SSI if it meets SSA criteria for disability. You must show that your aphasia prevents you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
The SGA limit for 2025 is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 for blind individuals. Earning above this limit may affect your SSDI benefits.
You can earn up to the SGA limit without losing SSDI benefits. For SSI, your income must be below certain limits, which are updated annually. For 2025, the maximum annual income for MO HealthNet for the Aged and Disabled is $13,303 for a household of one.
The MO ABLE program lets people with disabilities save money without losing federal benefits. You can save up to $17,000 per year and the account grows tax-free. Funds can be used for qualified disability expenses.
You can apply for SSDI or SSI online, by phone, or in person through Social Security. You can apply for MO HealthNet and Medicaid waivers through the Family Support Division or online.
SSDI is based on work history and pays monthly benefits to those who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. SSI is based on income and resources and pays monthly benefits to those with low income and few resources.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for personalized guidance.
Medicaid waivers in Missouri provide home and community-based services for people with disabilities. These services can include personal care, respite care, and supported employment.
You must report any changes in income, work, or health to Social Security and MO HealthNet as soon as possible to avoid overpayments and benefit suspension.
The cost-of-living adjustment for 2025 is 2.5%. This means your SSDI or SSI monthly payment will increase by 2.5% to keep up with inflation.
Yes, you can work while receiving disability benefits, but your earnings must be below the SGA limit. There are also work incentives to help you keep benefits while working.
