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Washington • Chronic Illness
People with cancer in Washington can access federal and state benefits to help with medical costs, living expenses, and support services. This guide explains eligibility, how to apply, and what programs are available.
To qualify for federal disability benefits with cancer in Washington, you must have a severe medical condition that prevents substantial work for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the same medical definition for both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI requires sufficient work credits from jobs where you paid Social Security taxes. SSI is for those with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Both programs require medical evidence showing your cancer limits your ability to work [ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html, 2025-11-06].
Washington state offers several programs for people with cancer who have limited income or resources. The Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) program provides temporary cash assistance to low-income adults who are disabled, including those with cancer, while they wait for federal SSI approval. To qualify for ABD, you must be 18 or older, have a disability that prevents work for at least 12 months (not primarily due to substance abuse), and meet income and resource limits. You cannot receive ABD if you already get SSI or TANF. Washington also offers Medicaid (Apple Health) for those with low income and certain medical needs, including cancer treatment [dshs.wa.gov/esa/disability-determination-services, 2025-11-06; washingtonconnection.org/home/availablebenefits.go, 2025-11-06].
ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities, including cancer, to save money without losing eligibility for SSI or Medicaid. Washington residents can open an ABLE account to pay for qualified disability expenses, such as medical care, housing, and education. Contributions are limited each year, and withdrawals for non-qualified expenses may affect benefits [ABLE National Resource Center, ablenrc.org, 2025-11-06].
Federal SSI has strict income and resource limits. In 2025, the individual resource limit is $2,000, and the couple limit is $3,000. Washington state programs like ABD and Medicaid have their own income and resource limits, which may be higher. Always check current limits when applying [ssa.gov/ssi, 2025-11-06; dshs.wa.gov/esa/disability-determination-services, 2025-11-06].
If your income, resources, or medical condition changes, you must report it to the agency. Failure to report can result in overpayments and loss of benefits. Keep records of all changes and communications with the agency. If you receive an overpayment notice, contact the agency to discuss repayment options [Avoiding Overpayments & Reporting Changes, /guides/overpayments-and-reporting, 2025-11-06].
Contact your local DSHS office or a benefits counselor for help with your application. They can guide you through the process and answer questions.
Yes, if your cancer is severe enough to prevent you from working for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death, you may qualify for federal SSI or SSDI and state programs like ABD or Medicaid [ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html, 2025-11-06].
Gather medical records, check eligibility, and apply online for federal benefits at SSA.gov or for state benefits through Washington Connection. You may need to provide proof of income and resources [washingtonconnection.org/home/availablebenefits.go, 2025-11-06].
ABD is a state cash assistance program for low-income adults with disabilities, including cancer, while they wait for federal SSI approval. It provides $450 per month for individuals and $570 for couples [blog.homelessinfo.org/aged-blind-and-disabled-abd-and-housing-and-essential-needs-hen-training-september-10-2025, 2025-11-06].
Yes, ABD is considered a loan. If you start receiving SSI, you are expected to repay the state for ABD benefits received. This payback requirement is still in effect until at least 2028 [blog.homelessinfo.org/aged-blind-and-disabled-abd-and-housing-and-essential-needs-hen-training-september-10-2025, 2025-11-06].
SSP is an additional monthly payment for SSI recipients in Washington to help with living costs. The amount varies and is paid along with federal SSI [ssdlawyerspokane.com/what-to-know-about-the-washington-state-supplement-for-ssi-recipients-in-2025, 2025-11-06].
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for your specific situation.
Yes, Medicaid (Apple Health) covers cancer treatment and related services for low-income people with disabilities, including cancer. You can apply through Washington Connection [dshs.wa.gov/esa/disability-determination-services, 2025-11-06].
An ABLE account lets people with disabilities save money for qualified expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid eligibility. Washington residents can open an account for medical, housing, or education costs [ABLE National Resource Center, ablenrc.org, 2025-11-06].
Report any changes in income, resources, or medical condition to the agency. Keep records of all communications and follow up on notices to avoid overpayments and loss of benefits [Avoiding Overpayments & Reporting Changes, /guides/overpayments-and-reporting, 2025-11-06].
SSI is for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. SSDI is for those with a qualifying work history and enough work credits. Both require a severe disability, including cancer [SSI vs SSDI, /guides/ssi-ssdi, 2025-11-06].
Yes, there are work incentives for SSI and SSDI recipients. You can earn some income without losing benefits, but there are limits. Check with the SSA or a benefits counselor for details [SSI & SSDI Work Incentives, /guides/work-incentives, 2025-11-06].
