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North Carolina • Physical/Mobility
People with mobility impairment in North Carolina can get federal and state benefits, including SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and work support. This guide explains eligibility, how to apply, and extra help available.
To qualify for federal disability benefits, your mobility impairment must stop you from working for at least 12 months. For SSDI, you need enough work credits from jobs covered by Social Security. For SSI, your income and assets must be low. Children under 18 may qualify if their disability started before age 22 and their parent is retired, disabled, or deceased. Adults with a disability that began before age 22 can also get benefits if their parent is eligible. 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)[4].
In North Carolina, state employees in the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) may get basic short-term and long-term disability benefits through the Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIP-NC). Eligibility depends on years of creditable service. If you have at least one year of service in the last 36 months, you can get short-term disability (STD) after 60 days of disability. STD pays 50% of your monthly salary, up to $3,000 per month, for up to 365 days. If you remain disabled, long-term disability (LTD) may pay after one year. State employees can also buy extra coverage through NCFlex[1].
North Carolina Medicaid covers people with mobility impairments who meet income and disability rules. The NC Innovations Waiver helps people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, but other waivers may help those with mobility impairments. Check with your local Department of Social Services for details[8].
ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money without losing SSI or Medicaid. You can save up to $100,000 without losing SSI, and up to $170,000 without losing Medicaid. Funds can be used for housing, education, transportation, and more. Open an ABLE account through the state program[3].
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 $1,620/month (or $2,700 if blind) to be considered disabled. Medicaid income limits vary by program and household size[4].
If your income or living situation changes, you must report it to Social Security and Medicaid. Not reporting changes can cause overpayments and penalties. Use the Avoiding Overpayments & Reporting Changes guide for help[3].
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or your local Department of Social Services for help with applications.
SSI is for people with low income and assets who have a qualifying disability. SSDI is for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes. Both require a disability that stops you from working for at least 12 months[4].
Contact your local Department of Social Services or call 1-888-245-0179. You will need to show proof of disability and income. Medicaid covers health care for people with low income and disability[8].
Yes, work incentives let you try working without losing benefits. Social Security offers programs like Ticket to Work and PASS to help you earn income and keep benefits[4].
The NC Innovations Waiver helps people with intellectual or developmental disabilities get home and community services. Other Medicaid waivers may help those with mobility impairments. Ask your local DSS for details[8].
An ABLE account lets you save money without losing SSI or Medicaid. You can save up to $100,000 without losing SSI, and up to $170,000 without losing Medicaid. Funds can be used for housing, education, transportation, and more[3].
The federal SSI payment in 2025 is $943/month for an individual and $1,415/month for a couple. Some states add extra, but North Carolina does not[4].
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Always check with official agencies for the most current rules and eligibility.
Call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or contact Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD) at 1-800-689-9090 for free help finding jobs and keeping benefits[3].
DIP-NC is the Disability Income Plan of North Carolina. It gives short-term and long-term disability benefits to state employees in TSERS. STD pays 50% of salary (up to $3,000/month) for up to 365 days[1].
Yes, state employees can buy extra disability coverage through the NCFlex Voluntary Disability Plan. Talk to your HR office for details[1].
If your disability started before age 22, you may get benefits on a parent’s Social Security record if they are retired, disabled, or deceased. This is called a Disabled Adult Child benefit[4].
