Anxiety Disorders Benefits in North Carolina

• To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you generally need 40 work credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before your disability starts. SSDI is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Both programs require medical proof that your anxiety disorder prevents you from working.
• Children with anxiety disorders may qualify for SSI if their family meets income limits and the child’s condition meets Social Security’s definition of disability.
• Adults with a disability that began before age 22 may qualify for benefits on a parent’s Social Security record if the parent is retired, disabled, or deceased.
• You must not earn more than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, which is $1,620 per month in 2025 (or $2,700 if blind) for SSDI and SSI.

Source: Social Security Administration, 2025

• North Carolina state employees in the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) may qualify for the Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIP-NC). To get short-term disability (STD), you need at least one year of creditable service in TSERS within the last 36 months. STD pays 50% of your monthly salary (up to $3,000/month) after a 60-day waiting period, for up to 365 days.
• If you remain disabled after a year, you may qualify for long-term disability (LTD) through DIP-NC, which pays a monthly benefit as long as you qualify as disabled.
• Employees can also buy extra disability coverage through the NCFlex Voluntary Disability Plan.
• Medicaid in North Carolina covers mental health services, including therapy and medication for anxiety disorders. Eligibility depends on income and resources.
• The Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) provides home and community-based services for Medicaid-eligible adults with disabilities, including anxiety disorders, who need long-term care.

Source: NC Office of State Human Resources, 2025, NC Medicaid, 2025

• Gather medical records that show your anxiety disorder limits your ability to work.
• Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to start an SSI or SSDI application.
• Contact your local Department of Social Services for Medicaid or food benefits.
• If you are a state employee, talk to your HR office about DIP-NC disability plans.
• Use the Disability Benefits 101 tool to estimate your benefits and plan for work.

Source: DB101 North Carolina, 2025

• Step 1: Get a diagnosis and treatment plan from a licensed mental health professional. Collect medical records, therapy notes, and any work evaluations.
• Step 2: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply for SSI or SSDI. You can also apply online at ssa.gov. Be ready to provide your medical records, work history, and personal information.
• Step 3: If you are a state employee, contact your HR office to learn about DIP-NC disability benefits and how to apply.
• Step 4: Apply for Medicaid through your local Department of Social Services or online at epass.nc.gov. Medicaid covers therapy, medication, and other mental health services.
• Step 5: If you need help with work or job training, contact the Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD) at 1-800-689-9090.
• Step 6: Use the Disability Benefits 101 benefits estimator to see how work affects your benefits.
• Step 7: Report any changes in your income, work, or health to Social Security and Medicaid to avoid overpayments.

Source: Social Security Administration, 2025, DB101 North Carolina, 2025, NC Medicaid, 2025

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Monthly cash benefits for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. After 24 months, you get Medicare.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Monthly cash benefits for people with limited income and resources. SSI recipients may get Medicaid.
• Medicare: Health insurance for people on SSDI after a 24-month waiting period.
• Medicaid: Health coverage for low-income people, including those with disabilities. Covers mental health services.
• Ticket to Work: Free support to help people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job.

Source: Social Security Administration, 2025

• Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIP-NC): Short-term and long-term disability benefits for state employees in TSERS. STD pays 50% of salary (up to $3,000/month) after 60 days, for up to 365 days. LTD pays a monthly benefit as long as you qualify as disabled.
• NCFlex Voluntary Disability Plan: State employees can buy extra disability coverage.
• Medicaid: Covers therapy, medication, and other mental health services for eligible adults with anxiety disorders.
• Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA): Home and community-based services for Medicaid-eligible adults with disabilities who need long-term care.
• Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD): Free job training and support for people with disabilities.

Source: NC Office of State Human Resources, 2025, NC Medicaid, 2025, DB101 North Carolina, 2025

• ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. You can save up to $17,000 per year (2025 limit) in an ABLE account. Funds can be used for housing, education, transportation, and other disability-related expenses.
• North Carolina residents can open an ABLE account through the NC ABLE Program.

Source: ABLE National Resource Center, 2025

• For SSI in 2025, the federal income limit is $943/month for an individual and $1,415/month for a couple. Some income is not counted, like the first $20 of most income and the first $65 of earnings.
• For Medicaid in North Carolina, income limits vary by program. For adults, the limit is generally 138% of the federal poverty level, which is about $2,000/month for an individual in 2025.
• SSDI has no income limit, but you must not earn more than the SGA limit ($1,620/month in 2025) to qualify.

Source: Social Security Administration, 2025, NC Medicaid, 2025

• Report any changes in income, work, or health to Social Security and Medicaid as soon as possible to avoid overpayments.
• If you get an overpayment, you may have to pay it back. You can ask for a waiver if the overpayment was not your fault.
• Use the Social Security online portal or call 1-800-772-1213 to report changes.
• For Medicaid, report changes to your local Department of Social Services.

Source: Social Security Administration, 2025, NC Medicaid, 2025

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

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday

  Website

  Apply for SSI/SSDI, report changes, get help.
• NC Department of Social Services
  Phone: 1-888-245-0179

  Hours: Varies by county

  Website

  Apply for Medicaid, food benefits, and other programs.
• Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD)
  Phone: 1-800-689-9090

  Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

  Website

  Free job training and support for people with disabilities.

• Can anxiety disorders qualify for disability benefits in North Carolina?

  Yes, anxiety disorders can qualify for SSI or SSDI if they severely limit your ability to work. You need medical proof from a licensed professional and must meet income and work requirements.

• How do I apply for SSI or SSDI for anxiety disorders in NC?

  Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or apply online at ssa.gov. You’ll need medical records, work history, and personal information. State employees should also check with HR for DIP-NC benefits.

• What state disability benefits are available for anxiety disorders in NC?

  State employees may get short-term and long-term disability through DIP-NC. Medicaid covers therapy and medication. CAP/DA offers home care for eligible adults with disabilities.

• Does Medicaid cover therapy for anxiety disorders in North Carolina?

  Yes, Medicaid in North Carolina covers therapy, medication, and other mental health services for eligible adults with anxiety disorders. Contact your local Department of Social Services to apply.

• Can I work while getting disability benefits for anxiety disorders in NC?

  Yes, work incentives let you try working without losing benefits. If you earn more than the SGA limit ($1,620/month in 2025), you may lose SSDI or SSI. Use the Ticket to Work program for support.

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

  An ABLE account lets people with disabilities save money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. You can save up to $17,000/year for disability-related expenses like housing, education, and transportation.