Heart Disease Benefits in South Dakota

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have a medical condition that prevents you from working and have paid enough Social Security taxes. For heart disease, this means your condition must meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disability. You generally need 40 work credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before your disability began. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for those with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 and older. Both programs require your heart disease to be severe enough to prevent you from doing substantial work for at least one year or result in death [1].

SSDI and SSI both use the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit to determine if you can work and still receive benefits. In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 for blind individuals [4].

In South Dakota, individuals with heart disease may qualify for Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities if they are employed and have a significant disability. This program helps people with disabilities return to work or remain employed. Eligibility is based on income, resources, and the severity of your disability. South Dakota also offers Medicaid coverage for those receiving SSI, which can help with medical costs related to heart disease. If you are medically recovering while in a vocational rehabilitation program, you may continue to receive benefits until the program ends [2].

South Dakota’s Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities program is designed for those who are employed and have a significant disability. This program allows individuals to work while maintaining Medicaid coverage, which can be crucial for managing heart disease [5].

• Check if your heart disease meets SSA’s disability criteria.
• Gather medical records and work history.
• Apply for SSDI or SSI online, by phone, or in person.
• If eligible, apply for South Dakota Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities.
• Report any changes in income or health to avoid overpayments.

• Step 1: Review SSA’s disability criteria for heart disease. Your condition must prevent you from working for at least one year or result in death.
• Step 2: Collect medical records, including doctor’s notes, test results, and treatment history.
• Step 3: Gather work history and Social Security number.
• Step 4: Apply for SSDI or SSI online at SSA.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local SSA office.
• Step 5: If approved, apply for South Dakota Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities through the Department of Social Services.
• Step 6: Report any changes in income, employment, or health to SSA and the state agency to avoid overpayments.
• Step 7: Consider applying for an ABLE account to save for disability-related expenses without affecting benefits [3].

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Monthly payments for those who can’t work due to a long-term or permanent disability and have paid enough Social Security taxes.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Monthly payments for those with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 and older.
• Medicare: Health insurance for those who receive SSDI after a 24-month waiting period (exceptions for ALS and end-stage renal disease).
• Medicaid: Health coverage for those with limited income and resources, available in some states for SSDI recipients [3].

• Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities: South Dakota program for employed individuals with significant disabilities. Allows you to work while maintaining Medicaid coverage.
• Medicaid for SSI Recipients: Automatic Medicaid coverage for those receiving SSI in South Dakota.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Program: If you medically recover while in a vocational rehab program, you may continue to receive benefits until the program ends.
• Continued Medicaid Coverage under 1619(b): Allows individuals to keep Medicaid even if their SSI cash payment stops due to earnings above the SGA level but below the state-specific threshold ($53,022 in 2025) [2].

ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save money for disability-related expenses without affecting eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits. In South Dakota, you can open an ABLE account to help cover costs related to heart disease, such as medical care, housing, and transportation [3].

• SSDI: No strict income limit, but earnings above the SGA limit ($1,620/month in 2025 for non-blind) may affect benefits.
• SSI: Income and resource limits apply. In 2025, the resource limit is $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
• Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities: Income and resource limits vary based on employment and disability status [2].

It’s important to report any changes in income, employment, or health to SSA and the state agency. Failing to report changes can result in overpayments, which you may have to repay. Reporting changes helps ensure you receive the correct amount of benefits and avoid penalties [3].

• South Dakota Department of Social Services
  Phone: 1-800-597-1603

  Website

  For Medicaid and other state benefits.
• Social Security Administration
  Phone: 1-800-772-1213

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Website

  For SSDI and SSI applications and questions.

• Can I get disability benefits for heart disease in South Dakota?

  Yes, if your heart disease prevents you from working for at least one year or results in death, you may qualify for SSDI or SSI. You must meet SSA’s disability criteria and have enough work credits for SSDI or limited income and resources for SSI [1].

• What is the SGA limit for 2025?

  The SGA limit for 2025 is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 for blind individuals. Earnings above this limit may affect your disability benefits [4].

• How do I apply for Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities in South Dakota?

  You can apply for Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities through the South Dakota Department of Social Services. You must be employed and have a significant disability. Contact the agency for application details and eligibility requirements [5].

• Can I work and still receive disability benefits?

  Yes, you can work and still receive disability benefits if your earnings are below the SGA limit. Work incentives like the Plan for Achieving Self-Support and Continued Medicaid Coverage under 1619(b) help you keep benefits while working [2].

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

  An ABLE account allows you to save money for disability-related expenses without affecting eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits. It can help cover costs related to heart disease, such as medical care and housing [3].

• How do I report changes in my income or health?

  Report changes in income, employment, or health to SSA and the state agency as soon as possible. This helps ensure you receive the correct amount of benefits and avoid overpayments [3].