Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Benefits in Washington

• To qualify for federal disability benefits (SSI or SSDI), your PTSD must be severe enough to stop you from doing substantial work for at least 12 months.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the same medical definition for both SSI and SSDI: your condition must cause significant limitations in your ability to work.
• 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 other evidence to decide if you meet their criteria for disability.
• If approved, you may receive monthly payments and access to Medicaid or Medicare.

Source: Social Security Administration, How Does Someone Become Eligible? (accessed 2025-11-06)

• In Washington, you may qualify for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance program if you are low-income and have a disability like PTSD that keeps you from working for at least 12 months.
• ABD is for people who are not yet receiving SSI or SSDI. It provides up to $450 per month for a single person and helps you apply for federal benefits.
• To be eligible for ABD, you must be 18 or older, meet income and resource limits, and have a medical condition that is not primarily due to substance abuse.
• If you later qualify for SSI, you are required to repay the ABD benefits you received. This payback rule is still in effect until at least 2028.
• You cannot get ABD if you are already receiving SSI or TANF.

Source: Washington DSHS, Aged, Blind or Disabled Cash Program (accessed 2025-11-06) Source: PubliCola, State Will Continue Requiring Low-Income People to Pay Back Disability Benefits Through 2025 (accessed 2025-11-06) Source: Blog, Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) and Housing and Essential Needs Training (accessed 2025-11-06)

• Gather your medical records and proof of income.
• Apply for federal SSI or SSDI online at SSA.gov or at your local Social Security office.
• If you need immediate help, apply for Washington’s ABD cash assistance through Washington Connection.
• Report any changes in your situation to avoid overpayments.
• Seek help from a benefits counselor or legal aid if you need support.

• Step 1: Get a medical diagnosis for PTSD from a qualified healthcare provider. Make sure your records clearly show how PTSD affects your ability to work.
• Step 2: Apply for federal disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) online at SSA.gov, by phone, or in person at a Social Security office. You will need to provide personal information, work history, and medical evidence.
• Step 3: If you are low-income and need help now, apply for Washington’s Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance through Washington Connection. This can help while you wait for SSI/SSDI.
• Step 4: If you get ABD, you will be assigned a facilitator to help you apply for SSI and referred to the Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program.
• Step 5: If you are approved for SSI, you may need to repay the ABD benefits you received. This payback rule is still in effect until at least 2028.
• Step 6: Report any changes in your income, resources, or living situation to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to avoid overpayments.
• Step 7: If you need help, contact a local benefits counselor, legal aid, or advocacy group.

Source: Washington DSHS, Aged, Blind or Disabled Cash Program (accessed 2025-11-06) Source: Social Security Administration, How Does Someone Become Eligible? (accessed 2025-11-06) Source: Blog, Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) and Housing and Essential Needs Training (accessed 2025-11-06)

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Monthly payments for people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older.
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Monthly payments for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes but are now disabled.
• Medicaid: Health coverage for people with low income and disabilities.
• Medicare: Health coverage for people who get SSDI after a 24-month waiting period.

Source: Social Security Administration, How Does Someone Become Eligible? (accessed 2025-11-06)

• Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Cash Assistance: Monthly cash grant for low-income people with disabilities who are not yet receiving SSI or SSDI. Maximum is $450 per month for a single person.
• Housing and Essential Needs (HEN): Referral for housing and essential needs support for ABD recipients.
• Medicaid Waivers (HCBS): Home and Community-Based Services for people with disabilities who need long-term care.
• Washington State Supplement for SSI: Extra monthly payment for SSI recipients in Washington.
• Paid Family and Medical Leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave for eligible employees with a serious health condition, including PTSD.

Source: Washington DSHS, Aged, Blind or Disabled Cash Program (accessed 2025-11-06) Source: Blog, Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) and Housing and Essential Needs Training (accessed 2025-11-06) Source: Washington Employment Security Department, Paid Family and Medical Leave (accessed 2025-11-06)

• Washington offers ABLE accounts for people with disabilities. These are tax-advantaged savings accounts for disability-related expenses.
• You can save up to $17,000 per year in an ABLE account without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits.
• To open an ABLE account, you must have a disability that started before age 26.

Source: ABLE National Resource Center, Washington ABLE (accessed 2025-11-06)

• For SSI, the federal income limit in 2025 is $967 per month for an individual and $1,450 for a couple.
• For ABD, you must meet Washington’s income and resource requirements, which are lower than SSI limits.
• If you get SSDI, there is no strict income limit, but your earnings must be below the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level to keep benefits.

Source: Social Security Administration, How Does Someone Become Eligible? (accessed 2025-11-06) Source: Washington DSHS, Aged, Blind or Disabled Cash Program (accessed 2025-11-06)

• You must report any changes in your income, resources, or living situation to DSHS and SSA.
• If you get more benefits than you should, you may have to repay the overpayment.
• To avoid overpayments, report changes as soon as possible and keep records of all communications.

Source: Washington DSHS, Aged, Blind or Disabled Cash Program (accessed 2025-11-06) Source: Social Security Administration, How Does Someone Become Eligible? (accessed 2025-11-06)

• Washington Department of Social and Health Services
  Phone: 1-877-501-2233

  TTY: 1-800-368-1086

  Email: dshs@dshs.wa.gov

  Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  Website

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

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

  Website

  For questions about SSI, SSDI, and federal disability benefits.

• Can PTSD qualify for disability benefits in Washington?

  Yes, if your PTSD is severe enough to prevent you from working for at least 12 months, you may qualify for federal SSI or SSDI and Washington state ABD cash assistance. You will need medical proof of your condition.

• How do I apply for disability benefits for PTSD in Washington?

  You can apply for SSI or SSDI online at SSA.gov or at a Social Security office. For state ABD cash assistance, apply through Washington Connection. You will need medical records and proof of income.

• What is the ABD program in Washington?

  ABD is a state cash assistance program for low-income people with disabilities who are not yet receiving SSI or SSDI. It provides up to $450 per month and helps you apply for federal benefits.

• Do I have to repay ABD benefits if I get SSI?

  Yes, if you later qualify for SSI, you are required to repay the ABD benefits you received. This payback rule is still in effect until at least 2028.

• What is the income limit for SSI in Washington?

  The federal income limit for SSI in 2025 is $967 per month for an individual and $1,450 for a couple. Washington state ABD has lower income limits.

• Can I get Medicaid if I have PTSD in Washington?

  Yes, if you qualify for SSI or SSDI, you may also qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid provides health coverage for people with disabilities and low income.