Diabetes Benefits in North Carolina: 2025 Guide

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in North Carolina, you must have a medical condition that stops you from working for at least a year and meet work credit requirements. For SSDI, you generally need 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before disability starts. For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must have limited income and resources, and your diabetes must meet SSA’s disability criteria. Both programs require that your diabetes prevents you from doing substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is $1,550/month in 2025 for non-blind individuals[1].

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a five-step process to decide if your diabetes qualifies. They check if you are working, how severe your condition is, if it matches a listed impairment, if you can do past work, and if you can do any other work[3].

North Carolina offers disability benefits for state employees through the Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIP-NC). If you are a public employee with at least one year of creditable service in the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS), you may qualify for short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) benefits. STD pays 50% of your monthly salary, up to $3,000/month, after a 60-day waiting period, for up to one year. LTD pays a monthly benefit if you remain disabled after one year[2].

North Carolina also provides Medicaid waivers for people with disabilities, including those with diabetes, to help cover care and support services. These waivers may help with home and community-based services (HCBS) for those who qualify[4].

• Check if your diabetes meets SSA’s disability criteria.
• Gather medical records and work history.
• Apply for SSDI/SSI online, by phone, or at a local Social Security office.
• If you are a state employee, contact your HR or retirement system for DIP-NC benefits.
• Apply for Medicaid if you have low income and need help with medical costs[1][2][4].

• Step 1: Review SSA’s disability criteria for diabetes. Your diabetes must prevent you from working for at least a year and meet SSA’s definition of disability[3].
• Step 2: Collect medical records, including doctor’s notes, lab results, and treatment plans.
• Step 3: Apply for SSDI or SSI online at SSA.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office. You can also apply in person at a Social Security office in North Carolina[1].
• Step 4: If you are a state employee, contact your HR or retirement system to apply for DIP-NC disability benefits. You must have at least one year of creditable service in TSERS[2].
• Step 5: Apply for Medicaid if you have low income. You can apply online at ePass.nc.gov or through your local Department of Social Services[4].
• Step 6: If your application is denied, you can appeal within 60 days of the decision[1].

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Provides monthly payments if you have a qualifying disability and enough work credits. After 24 months, you become eligible for Medicare, which covers diabetes care and supplies[5].
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Provides monthly payments for people with disabilities who have limited income and resources. SSI recipients may also qualify for Medicaid[1].
• Medicare: After 24 months of SSDI, you get Medicare, which covers diabetes-related medical care and supplies[5].
• Medicaid: For people with low income, Medicaid covers diabetes care, supplies, and other medical needs[4].

• Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIP-NC): Provides short-term and long-term disability benefits for state employees with at least one year of creditable service in TSERS. STD pays 50% of your monthly salary, up to $3,000/month, for up to one year. LTD pays a monthly benefit if you remain disabled after one year[2].
• Medicaid Waivers: North Carolina offers Medicaid waivers for people with disabilities, including those with diabetes, to help cover home and community-based services (HCBS) and other supports[4].
• North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD): Provides information and advocacy for people with developmental disabilities, including those with diabetes[4].

ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money for disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other benefits. North Carolina residents can open an ABLE account through the NC ABLE Program. Contributions are tax-free, and funds can be used for qualified disability expenses, including diabetes care[7].

For SSI in 2025, the federal income limit is $943/month for an individual and $1,415/month for a couple. For SSDI, there is no income limit, but you must not earn more than the SGA limit of $1,550/month (non-blind) or $2,590/month (blind)[1].

If your income or resources change, you must report it to Social Security to avoid overpayments. Overpayments can happen if you earn too much or fail to report changes. Report changes promptly to avoid penalties and ensure you get the right amount of benefits[1].

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

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Hours: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Monday-Friday

  Website

  Apply for SSDI/SSI or get help with your application.
• NC Department of Health and Human Services
  Phone: 1-888-635-7474

  Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday

  Website

  Apply for Medicaid or get help with health benefits.

• Can diabetes qualify for SSDI in North Carolina?

  Yes, diabetes can qualify for SSDI if it prevents you from working for at least a year and meets SSA’s disability criteria. You must also meet the work credit requirements for SSDI[1][3].

• What is the SGA limit for SSDI in North Carolina?

  The SGA limit for SSDI in North Carolina is $1,550/month for non-blind individuals and $2,590/month for blind individuals in 2025. If you earn more than this, you may not qualify for SSDI[1].

• How do I apply for disability benefits in North Carolina?

  You can apply for SSDI/SSI online at SSA.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office. State employees should contact their HR or retirement system for DIP-NC benefits[1][2].

• What state disability benefits are available for diabetes in North Carolina?

  North Carolina offers disability benefits for state employees through DIP-NC. There are also Medicaid waivers for people with disabilities, including those with diabetes, to help cover care and support services[2][4].

• Can I get Medicaid with diabetes in North Carolina?

  Yes, if you have low income and meet eligibility requirements, you can get Medicaid in North Carolina. Medicaid covers diabetes care, supplies, and other medical needs[4].

• What is an ABLE account, and can I use it for diabetes expenses?

  An ABLE account lets people with disabilities save money for disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other benefits. You can use ABLE funds for qualified disability expenses, including diabetes care[7].