Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Benefits in Vermont

• To qualify for federal disability benefits (SSI or SSDI), your OCD must be severe enough to stop you from working or doing daily activities for at least 12 months.
• SSI is for people with low income and few resources. SSDI is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes.
• You must apply for all other benefits you may be eligible for before getting SSI.
• You must live in the U.S. to receive SSI or SSDI.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses medical records and work history to decide if your OCD meets their definition of disability.
• Children with OCD may also qualify for SSI if their condition is severe and meets SSA rules.
• You can use the SSA’s SSI Income Estimator to see if you might qualify for SSI.
• If approved, you may get monthly payments and access to Medicaid or Medicare.
• Work incentives let you try working without losing benefits right away.
• You must report changes in income, resources, or living situation to avoid overpayments.

Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), SSA SSI vs SSDI Guide, SSA Work Incentives

• Vermonters with disabilities, including OCD, can get food help through 3SquaresVT, even if on a fixed income.
• If everyone in your household gets disability benefits, 3SquaresVT deposits benefits as cash into your bank account.
• Vermont does not have a state disability insurance program for private workers, but a voluntary paid family and medical leave program is starting in 2025.
• Vermont Medicaid covers mental health services, including therapy and medications for OCD.
• Medicaid waivers (HCBS) may provide home and community-based services for people with disabilities.
• Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont can help with appeals, discrimination, and accessing services.
• The Vermont Communication Support Project can help people with disabilities communicate in court or administrative hearings.
• You can get help with reasonable accommodations at work or in housing.
• ABLE accounts are available for Vermonters with disabilities to save money without losing benefits.
• You can file complaints if an agency does not respect your rights.

• Gather medical records that show how OCD affects your daily life and work.
• Apply for SSI or SSDI online at SSA.gov, by phone, or at a local Social Security office.
• Apply for Medicaid and 3SquaresVT through Vermont’s online portal or by phone.
• If you need help, contact Vermont Legal Aid or Legal Services Vermont.
• Report any changes in your situation to avoid overpayments.

Sources: SSA Apply for Benefits, Vermont Benefits Portal

• Step 1: Get medical records from your doctor or therapist that show your OCD diagnosis and how it limits your ability to work or do daily activities.
• Step 2: Apply for SSI or SSDI:
  • Go to SSA.gov and use the online application.
  • Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply by phone.
  • Visit your local Social Security office to apply in person.
• Step 3: Apply for Medicaid and 3SquaresVT:
  • Go to Vermont’s online benefits portal at mybenefits.vermont.gov.
  • Call the Department for Children and Families at 1-800-479-6151 for help.
• Step 4: If you need help with the application or an appeal, contact Vermont Legal Aid or Legal Services Vermont at 1-800-889-2047.
• Step 5: If you need help communicating in court or hearings, contact the Vermont Communication Support Project at 1-888-686-8277.
• Step 6: Report any changes in your income, resources, or living situation to Social Security and Vermont agencies to avoid overpayments.
• Step 7: If you are denied benefits, you can appeal the decision. Vermont Legal Aid can help with appeals.
• Step 8: If you face discrimination at work or in housing, you can file a complaint with Vermont Legal Aid.

Sources: SSA Apply for Benefits, Vermont Benefits Portal, Vermont Legal Help,

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Monthly payments for people with low income and few resources who are disabled, blind, or 65 or older.
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Monthly payments for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes and are now disabled.
• Medicare: Health insurance for people who get SSDI after a 24-month waiting period.
• Medicaid: Health coverage for people with low income, including those who get SSI.
• ABLE Accounts: Tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities.
• Work Incentives: Programs that let people with disabilities try working without losing benefits right away.

Sources: SSA SSI, SSA SSDI, Medicare, Medicaid, ABLE Accounts

• 3SquaresVT: Food assistance for Vermonters with disabilities, even if on a fixed income. Benefits can be deposited as cash or on an EBT card.
• Vermont Medicaid: Covers mental health services, including therapy and medications for OCD.
• Medicaid Waivers (HCBS): Home and community-based services for people with disabilities, such as personal care, respite care, and supported employment.
• Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont: Free legal help for appeals, discrimination, and accessing services.
• Vermont Communication Support Project: Free help for people with disabilities to communicate in court or administrative hearings.
• Vermont ABLE Accounts: Tax-advantaged savings accounts for Vermonters with disabilities.
• Vermont Voluntary Paid Family and Medical Leave: Starting in 2025, this program will provide paid leave for medical reasons, including mental health.

Sources: Vermont Food Help, Vermont Medicaid, , ,

• ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits.
• You can use ABLE funds for qualified disability expenses, such as education, housing, transportation, and personal support.
• Vermont offers ABLE accounts through the ABLEVT program.
• You can open an ABLE account online at ablevt.com.
• There are annual and lifetime contribution limits.
• ABLE accounts do not count toward SSI or Medicaid resource limits.

Sources: ABLEVT, ABLE National Resource Center

• For SSI, the resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.
• Your home and one car are not counted as resources.
• For SSDI, there are no resource limits, but your income from work may affect your benefits.
• For Medicaid, income limits vary by program and household size.
• For 3SquaresVT, Vermonters with disabilities may not have to meet income limits if everyone in the household gets disability benefits.

Sources: SSA SSI, Vermont Food Help

• You must report changes in income, resources, or living situation to Social Security and Vermont agencies.
• Failure to report changes can result in overpayments and penalties.
• If you get an overpayment, you may have to repay it, but you can ask for a waiver if it was not your fault.
• Report changes online, by phone, or in person.
• Keep records of all reports and communications.

Sources: SSA Reporting Changes, Vermont Benefits Portal

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

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Hours: 8:30am–5:00pm ET

  Website

  Apply for SSI/SSDI, report changes, get help with benefits.
• Vermont Department for Children and Families
  Phone: 1-800-479-6151

  Hours: 8:00am–4:30pm ET

  Website

  Apply for Medicaid, 3SquaresVT, and other state benefits.
• Vermont Legal Aid / Legal Services Vermont
  Phone: 1-800-889-2047

  Hours: 9:00am–4:30pm ET

  Website

  Free legal help with disability applications, appeals, and discrimination.
• Vermont Communication Support Project
  Phone: 1-888-686-8277

  Email: csp@disabilityrightsvt.org

  Hours: 9:00am–5:00pm ET

  Website

  Free help communicating in court or hearings.

• Can Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder qualify for disability benefits in Vermont?

  Yes, OCD can qualify for federal disability benefits if it severely limits your ability to work or do daily activities for at least 12 months. You must provide medical records showing how OCD affects your life.

• How do I apply for SSI or SSDI with OCD in Vermont?

  You can apply for SSI or SSDI online at SSA.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office. You will need medical records and information about your work history.

• What food assistance is available for Vermonters with OCD?

  Vermonters with disabilities, including OCD, can get food help through 3SquaresVT. Benefits can be deposited as cash or on an EBT card and can be used at most grocery stores.

• Does Vermont have a state disability insurance program for private workers?

  Vermont does not have a state disability insurance program for private workers, but a voluntary paid family and medical leave program will start in 2025.

• What mental health services are covered by Vermont Medicaid for OCD?

  Vermont Medicaid covers therapy, medications, and other mental health services for OCD. Medicaid waivers may provide additional home and community-based services.

• Can I save money in an ABLE account if I have OCD?

  Yes, ABLE accounts let people with disabilities, including OCD, save money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. Vermont offers ABLE accounts through the ABLEVT program.