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Washington • Learning
People with dyslexia in Washington may qualify for federal and state disability benefits if their condition severely limits their ability to work or live independently. This guide explains eligibility, how to apply, and what support is available.
To qualify for federal disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) due to dyslexia, your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the same medical definition for both programs. For SSDI, you need enough work credits from jobs where you paid Social Security taxes. For SSI, you must have limited income and resources, regardless of work history. The SSA will review your medical records, work history, and how dyslexia affects your daily life and ability to work [3][8].
In Washington, people with dyslexia may qualify for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance program if they are low-income, age 65+, blind, or have a health condition (including severe dyslexia) that stops them from working for at least 12 months. The ABD program offers a monthly cash grant, help applying for federal SSI/SSDI, and referrals to housing and essential needs programs. You cannot get ABD if you are already receiving SSI benefits. The program is designed for those who are waiting for federal disability approval or who do not qualify for SSI but still need support [5].
ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. You can use the funds for housing, education, transportation, and other qualified expenses. Washington residents can open an ABLE account through the state’s program [internal_links].
For SSI in 2025, the federal income limit is $967/month for individuals and $1,450/month for couples. For ABD, income and resource limits are set by Washington DSHS and depend on your living situation. You must report changes in income to avoid overpayments [5][4].
If your income or living situation changes, you must report it to Social Security or DSHS. Not reporting changes can lead to overpayments and penalties. If you get an overpayment, you may be able to appeal or set up a repayment plan [internal_links].
Contact your local DSHS office or a disability advocate for help with your application. They can help you gather documents and fill out forms.
Yes, if your dyslexia is severe enough to prevent you from working or living independently, you may qualify for SSI or SSDI. You must provide medical proof and meet income or work credit requirements [3][8].
The ABD program gives cash grants to low-income adults who are 65+, blind, or disabled (including severe dyslexia) and are not getting SSI. It also helps with applying for federal disability benefits and refers to housing and essential needs programs [5].
As of 2025, the basic federal SSI payment is $967/month for individuals and $1,450/month for couples. Washington may add a state supplement to help with living costs [4].
Yes, you can try working for up to 9 months without losing your full disability payment. This is called a trial work period. After that, there are work incentives to help you keep some benefits while you work [9].
An ABLE account lets people with disabilities save money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. You can use the funds for housing, education, transportation, and other qualified expenses [internal_links].
Yes, you must report changes in income or living situation to Social Security or DSHS. Not reporting changes can lead to overpayments and penalties [internal_links].
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always check with official agencies for the most current rules and eligibility.
Yes, if you get SSI or ABD, you may qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid covers health care for low-income people with disabilities [5].
Washington’s program offers up to 12 weeks of paid leave for qualifying events, including disability. The 2025 premium rate is 0.92% of wages, and the maximum weekly benefit is $1,542 [6][10].
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or apply online at ssa.gov. For ABD, apply through Washington DSHS. You will need medical records and proof of income [5][7].
If your application is denied, you can appeal. Ask for help from a disability lawyer or advocate. You may need to provide more medical evidence or attend a hearing [3][8].
