Resources for People with Disabilities

Key takeaways

• People with disabilities can get free or low-cost help with housing, food, health care, and legal issues, including while they wait for a disability decision.

• Government programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and housing assistance can help with everyday costs. Eligibility depends on your income and your state.

• Nonprofits and legal aid organizations can help with specific needs, like finding housing, getting food, or dealing with a legal problem.

• If you're not sure where to start, calling or texting 211 can connect you with local services and someone who can help you sort through your options.

Free and low-cost resources for adults with disabilities are available. Here is a list of places to start looking for help if your disability makes it difficult, or impossible, to work. Many government programs, nonprofits, and clinics are designed to be a financial and social safety net when you need it most.

We know sorting through websites and waiting on hold can be overwhelming. If you're not sure where to turn, the resources below can help.

We've compiled a directory of housing, health care, food, and legal resources for adults with disabilities in the United States— what each program covers and where to find it. If you’re applying for disability benefits, and are wondering what to do while you wait to hear if you will get benefits, these national and local programs are a great place to start.

What resources are available for disabled adults?

Findhelp.org

Findhelp is a social care network that connects people in need with a wide range of local services. Just type in your area code, and you'll be able to browse thousands of nearby programs.

These programs range from food assistance, housing assistance, transit help, health care, direct financial assistance, care, legal assistance, and more. You can also create an account to save programs to your favorites, contact programs directly, and take notes about different organizations you’ve contacted.

Website: Find Help By Your Zip Code

211

211 is a helpline run by United Way. They primarily help with food, housing, and financial insecurity — but also have resources for disaster recovery, mental health care, and addiction treatment. The best way to reach them is to call 211 by phone, but you can also browse resources from your local 211 chapter online.

Website: Find Local 211 Resources Phone Number: 211

USA.gov

USA.gov has centralized website that may direct you to available federal benefit programs. You can search it by category, such as housing help or help with utility bills, to find national resources.

Website: Government Benefits Finder

Legal support and benefit assistance for people with disabilities

Atticus

Atticus helps people in a crisis get the aid they’re entitled to. We can often provide free legal advice, and have helped thousands with their disability, workers’ compensation, and injury claims.

We can also match you with an experienced lawyer to maximize your chances of winning your case. To get started, use our 2-minute intake quiz to learn what benefits you qualify for. (Getting matched with a lawyer is free, you don't have to work with our lawyers if you don't want to, and you never pay anything until after you win benefits.)

Legal Aid by state

If you need legal help but can't afford to pay a lawyer, there are organizations in each state that offer free or low-cost help. LawHelp.org can connect you with pro bono attorneys and law firms in your state.

You can also use the table below, which links to your state's Legal Aid Society or a similar legal resource. Keep in mind that large cities may have their own legal aid organizations, like in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia.

Eldercare

For older individuals who need legal help, Eldercare can connect you with city, county, or state resources. The service won't connect you with an attorney, but it can help you understand your rights and connect you with local organizations and government agencies. Enter your ZIP code to start searching.

Website: Eldercare Locator

National Disability Rights Network — Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Network

Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems are federally funded and serve every state. If you're experiencing abuse, neglect, or discrimination due to your disability — or have a complaint about ADA compliance, assistive technology, or voting access — they can help. Generally, their services include referrals to other organizations and occasionally legal action.

Website: Find your local P&A

State workers' compensation boards

If you've recently gotten sick or injured at work, you may be eligible for workers' comp. Not everyone is covered by workers' comp, but it can provide regular payments and cover your medical expenses while you're out of work.

Atticus can connect you with a qualified workers' comp lawyer, and we've also gathered addresses and contact information for every state's workers' comp board.

Free and low-cost health care for people with disabilities

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Centers

Health centers are federally funded providers of primary and preventative care. They offer support regardless of your ability to pay.

Health centers may also offer access to pharmacies, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, or oral health services. Some centers are specifically designed to support special populations — like those experiencing homelessness, migratory and seasonal workers, or residents of public housing.

You can find the HRSA health center nearest to you using their search tool and your ZIP code.

Website: Find a Health Center

Healthcare.gov

HealthCare.gov is the federal government's health insurance marketplace. It helps individuals and families find and compare affordable health insurance plans, including coverage for doctor visits, prescription medications, mental health services, and preventative care.

Depending on your income and household size, you may qualify for financial assistance to lower your monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. You can also use HealthCare.gov to find out if you're eligible for Medicaid.

You can find available plans and check your eligibility for coverage using your ZIP code.

Website: HealthCare.gov

National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFCC)

Similar to HRSA, the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics helps provide essential medical, dental, pharmaceutical, vision, and behavioral health services to those in need. They are not federally funded, and instead function on a nonprofit model.

They also have a database where you can find free or low-cost clinics near you.

Website: Find a Clinic

Medicaid

While Medicaid is funded federally, it’s administered locally. This makes it difficult to give general advice about Medicaid qualifications (though if you’re approved for SSI benefits, you should qualify automatically).

Medicaid.gov has information on resources for each state. Use the drop-down menu to locate your state and find information on eligibility requirements, contact information, and enrollment process.

Website: Medicaid Resources by State

NeedyMeds

This nonprofit organization connects individuals with affordable healthcare clinics, diagnosis-specific assistance programs, and discounted medications. The 501(c)(3) offers information on thousands of assistance programs across the country for people in need. Website: needymeds.org NeedyMeds Helpline (Call): 800-503-6897

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

SAMSA helps those who need affordable access to mental healthcare or addiction treatment. While they mostly fund programs at the local level and work on broader public health initiatives, they offer a wealth of resources for finding care.

Their database at Findtreatment.gov helps you locate clinics in your area. You can filter to specifically search sliding scale or no-cost centers.

Website (Behavioral Health Services Finder): Findtreatment.gov Website: Mental Health and Addiction Services Resources Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Phone Number: 988

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

NAMI is another nationwide organization helping Americans find mental health treatment. They have a helpline peer-support service that provides information, resource referral, and support to people living with a mental health condition. Website: Nami.org NAMI Helpline (Text): 62640 NAMI Helpline (Call): 800-950-NAMI (6264).

Other Mental Health "Find a Provider" tools

• National Institute of Mental Health's "Find a Provider" Resource

• American Psychiatric Association's Psychiatrist Search

Housing and bill pay support for people with disabilities

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Programs

People with disabilities can qualify for some of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) programs. This includes:

• Public housing is funded by the federal government and administered by state and local agencies. Your rent is capped and based on your income.

• Rental assistance or subsidized housing allows you to find a qualifying privately owned apartment with reduced rents. The government pays the owners of these units for all or part of your rent.

• Housing Choice Voucher Program (also known as Section 8) enables you to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects. You’re given a voucher to offset the cost.

• People with disabilities may also qualify for Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) vouchers. This may allow you to get housing in a development set aside from seniors — which could improve your access to care.

• Housing Choice Voucher homeownership program is available to first-time homeowners. Generally, there’s an employment requirement, which is waived for people with disabilities. Your local Public Housing Authority can get you more information about this program, if it’s available in your area.

The HUD housing tool allows you to find subsidized housing in your area. You can filter units by those specializing in help for elderly and special-needs tenants. You can also find your local HUD office and Homelessness resources.

Navigating the myriad of HUD resources can be difficult. It’s generally best to contact your state HUD office, where they can walk you through your options.

Website: Find your local HUD office Website: Find a HUD-approved housing counselor Call: 1-800-569-4287

Centers for Independent Living (CILs)

If you need more help living on your own, federally funded Centers for Independent Living can provide support. These programs work to provide attendant services, counseling, skills training, and community integration. Many can also help secure housing, transit, counseling, or physical therapy. Each region has its own CIL offices and programs.

Website: Independent Living Centers

Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

If you already have housing, but are at risk of losing it — an emergency rental assistance program could help provide some relief. To qualify, you need to prove financial hardship, have a household minimum below a certain amount (depending on where you live), and be at risk of lacking a stable place to live.

Rental assistance programs often operate on the county level, so you should contact your local county office.

Website: Find your rental assistance program

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP helps residents lower heating and cooling energy costs, pay their bills, weatherize their home, and get help with home repairs. You qualify for this program based on financial need, and may automatically qualify if you receive SNAP, SSI, TANF, or other need-based benefits.

Website: https://www.liheap.org/directory 

Food assistance for people with disabilities

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP, colloquially known as food stamps, supplements your food budget and the benefit amount is based on your household size. In most states, the maximum for a family of four in 2027 is $1,023, and the maximum for single-person households is $306.

If you're already receiving SSI benefits, you could be automatically eligible for SNAP because you’ve been determined eligible for another means-tested program. Non-disabled households have work requirements to receive SNAP benefits, but those who are elderly or disabled are exempt from this requirement. To get started with SNAP benefits, you should contact your state office.

Website: Find your local SNAP office

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is specifically for elderly people with limited mobility. Qualifications vary by state, but you generally qualify if you’re 60 or older.

Meals are offered on a sliding scale — and no one is turned away because they can't pay. To get started with most programs, you submit an application.

Website: Find your local Meals on Wheels program

Feeding America

Feeding America supports a national network of food banks and food pantries. You can find your local partner pantry by entering your ZIP code into their food bank search tool. They can also help with SNAP applications, have some drive-thru pantry options, and provide seniors with free meals.

Website: Find your local food bank

The bottom line

If your condition makes it hard or impossible to work, help is available. Government programs and nonprofits can help cover housing, food, and health care, and calling 211 can connect you with local services.