The BasicsWhy Benefits MatterKey ProgramsSSI Eligibility for Young PeopleMedicaid Eligibility for Young PeopleHIWA Eligibility for Young PeoplePrivate Health Care Coverage for Young PeopleOther ProgramsNext Steps

Benefits for Young People

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    Benefits for Young People

    Key Programs

    This section introduces:

    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • Medicaid
    • Health Insurance for Work Advancement (HIWA), and
    • Private health coverage

    Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

    SSI is the most important benefit that offers money for young people with disabilities. Even if you've never had a job, you may be able to get SSI. Even if you are under 18 and live with your parents, you may be able to get SSI.

    Who It Helps

    If you have a disability, don’t have enough money for your basic needs, don’t have much income, and have limited resources, you may be able to get SSI. (If you are under 18, your parents also must have low income and limited resources for you to qualify for SSI.)

    How It Helps

    If you qualify, SSI gives you money each month to help with your expenses, like food and rent.

    Learn more about SSI eligibility.

    Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

    When you work, taxes are taken out of your paycheck. Some of those taxes are automatically paid into the SSDI program. If you work for long enough while paying into SSDI and then your disability limits how much you can work, you will get money each month from SSDI.

    SSDI doesn't cover many young people, because they haven’t worked long enough to get benefits from it. However, if you get a job, your job could help you qualify for SSDI later. And, the more you work, the more SSDI will pay you if you need it!

    Learn more in DB101's SSDI article.

    Medicaid

    Medicaid is the most important public health benefit for young people with disabilities.

    Who It Helps

    Medicaid is for people who cannot afford medical expenses. Generally, to get it, you or your family must have low income.

    How It Helps

    If you qualify, Medicaid pays for your medical expenses, including visits to the doctor, hospital stays, prescription drugs, medical equipment, and other medical services.

    Learn more about Medicaid eligibility.

    Health Insurance for Work Advancement (HIWA)

    Health Insurance for Work Advancement (HIWA) lets you get a job, save up some money, and keep your Medicaid health coverage.

    Who It Helps

    HIWA is for people with disabilities who have jobs. The resource limit and income limit are much higher than the limits for standard Medicaid. To get HIWA coverage, you need to pay a monthly premium; the amount depends on your total countable income.

    How It Helps

    HIWA pays for the same services that standard Medicaid covers, including visits to the doctor, hospital stays, medical equipment, and other medical services.

    Learn more about HIWA eligibility.

    Private Health Care Coverage

    Private health insurance is the most common way for people to get health coverage.

    Who It Helps

    People get private health coverage in different ways. Some get it through their jobs, others get it from their parents’ employers, and some sign up for it on their own at Nevada Health Link. If you can't get affordable employer-sponsored coverage, Medicaid, or Medicare and your family's income is at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) ($62,600 for an individual; $128,600 for a family of four), you may be able to get tax credits to help pay the premiums for individual coverage on Nevada Health Link. Note: From 2021 through 2025, there was no income limit for getting subsidies that help pay individual coverage premiums. However, a 400% of FPG income limit is set to return for 2026. DB101 will be updated if there are any changes.

    How It Helps

    Private health coverage pays for some of your medical costs when you see doctors, visit other health care providers, do lab tests, or get prescription medicines at a pharmacy. Depending on your private health plan, your coverage may pay for almost all of your medical expenses or for just a part of those expenses.

    Learn more about private health coverage.

    Estimate how your benefits could change

    When you get a job, or go to school, or get older, your eligibility and benefit amounts can change. DB101 includes Estimators that can help you predict how your benefits might change. For young people, the School and Work Estimator is especially helpful. After reading about benefits, try it out!

    If you have more questions about these programs, talk to a benefits planner.

    Learn more

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