What Qualifies as Disability Expenses for Housing Vouchers?

Many people living with disabilities struggle financially to make ends meet because they cannot work. Disability benefits through programs administered by the Social Security Administration can help, but it can still be challenging to afford housing.

Housing assistance through the federal, state, and local governments is available, but they are usually available only to people with low or no income. If you receive disability benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs, this blog explains how to use disability expenses for housing voucher eligibility by reducing your monthly income.

Disability Benefits From SSI And SSDI

SSI and SSDI are the primary disability benefit programs for people with disabling medical conditions. If you worked long enough at jobs or self-employment with Social Security taxes paid on the income, you are insured through the SSDI program.

Most workers pay Social Security taxes and eventually reach retirement age when they collect retirement benefits. Workers who become disabled and unable to work before retirement may be eligible for disability benefits through SSDI. Benefits include monthly cash payments and eligibility for Medicare after 24 months.

Your average lifetime earnings make up part of the calculation determining how much you receive each month in SSDI benefits. Generally, the greater your earnings, the more you are eligible for monthly benefit payments, but there is a maximum benefit amount.

According to the Social Security Administration, the maximum monthly SSDI benefit available in 2024 is $3,822, with the average payment being $1,537. Monthly disability benefits through SSDI could exceed the income limitations for housing assistance eligibility. As you’ll shortly see, with eligible disability expenses housing assistance may be available.

SSDI is an entitlement program, meaning that you and your employers pay for the benefits through Social Security taxes that go into a special trust fund. On the other hand, SSI does not require a work history or the payment of taxes for eligibility.

General tax revenues of the federal government fund the SSI program. Its monthly cash payments are available based on an applicant’s limited income and resources. You must meet one of the following requirements to be eligible for benefits:

1. Blind according to standards used by the Social Security Administration.
2. Disabled according to a federal standard that requires you to be unable to do substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or a combination of impairments that have lasted or are expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.
3. You must be 65 or older but do not have to be disabled or blind.

The different standard determines if a child is disabled and eligible for SSI. A child younger than 18 must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments expected to last at least 12 months or expected to result in death, causing marked and severe functional limitations.

The purpose of the monthly SSI payments is to help a person in need pay for food, shelter, and other essentials. Neither SSI nor SSDI are housing assistance programs that help people find affordable housing in their community. 

Housing Assistance Programs

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is just one source of funding that state and local government agencies rely upon to fund housing assistance programs. For example, several housing assistance programs for people with disabilities exist in California, including the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program and Section 8 Housing Program.

Programs helping people qualify for affordable housing typically issue housing vouchers to those who meet eligibility guidelines, including income restrictions. If you receive disability benefits through SSI and SSDI and apply for housing assistance for the disabled, expenses related to your disability may be used to reduce your income.

Deductible disability-related housing expenses may include the following:

1. Medical expenses related to your disability, provided they are not reimbursed by insurance or other sources.
2. Assistive devices like ramps, wheelchairs, canes, and walkers.
3. Attendant care expenses not covered or reimbursed by insurance or other sources.
4. Unreimbursed cost of specialized devices or equipment you need, including hearing aids.

Any disability-related expense you can document may be used as a deduction to reduce your monthly income. Ask the agency providing housing assistance about their policy regarding housing voucher disability costs deductions.

Contact The Client-Focused Disability Team At Sackett Law

When a disability prevents you from working, getting the benefits that you are entitled to receive can be challenging and frustrating because of overly complicated regulations and procedures. The team of disability professionals at Sackett Law has been helping people with disabilities throughout Northern California for more than four decades.  

From helping them with applications for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration to fighting to overturn denials of benefits through the appeal process, Sackett Law disability lawyers are there to help you. Contact them today for a free consultation and claim review.