Does Social Security disability pay for medicine prescriptions ?

How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

Social Security disability is a monetary benefit and does not pay for medication or other healthcare needs. However, if you are entitled to Social Security disability then you may be entitled to Medicare part A, Medicare part B, or Medicare part D.

Medicare coverage will begin two years after your first month of entitlement to Social Security disability (translation: twenty-five months). You will receive part A for free. However, part B and D may involve a premium, although, if you have low income and resources, premiums may be paid by the state you reside in.

Also, the Social Security Administration may subsidize your Medicare part D coverage if you are under certain income and resource limits. Some social security disability recipients, even though they do not qualify for SSI, may potentially still qualify for Medicaid through their state if the income and resource limits are low enough. Medicaid, of course, provides for medicine and other healthcare.

Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page

Individual Questions and Answers

What is the process to file a Social Security Disability appeal?

How does back pay for Social Security disability work ?

If I Get Denied Twice For Disability, What Do I Do?

How to Apply for Disability, What medical conditions can you apply for disability for ?

Social Security Disability Hearing-How Do I Request One?

Applying for disability benefits in Ohio

Can you get temporary Social Security disability or SSI benefits ?

Submitting a Social Security Disability Appeal is usually Good Advice

How much does Social Security pay in disability benefits ?

How should I prepare for a disability hearing with Social Security ?

Is there a Maximum I can Work and Make if I am on SSD or SSI Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability SSI - Retroactive Benefits Vs Back Pay Benefits

If my medical condition keeps me from working will I get Social Security disability ?

Are There Social Security Disability Guidelines For How Disabled You Have to Be?

Social Security Disability Back pay

Is Social Security required to make a decision on a disability case in a certain time period?

What Does Social Security Include As Your Past Work?

Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Arkansas

Can an individual qualify for Social Security disability or SSI on the basis of anxiety or panic attacks ?

Decisions On Disability - How Social Security Decides Claims

Medical Source Statement for Social Security Disability or SSI

Lupus, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

If I get disability, will they look at my case later?

Winning Social Security Disability Benefits For Mental Disorders

SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials