Quickly explore your disability benefits options.

What this site is for

Disability benefits are confusing to read about and worse to navigate in real time. Between SSA regulations, VA rating schedules, state program quirks, and the difference between SSDI work credits and SSI income limits, most people end up stitching together half-answers from forums, outdated blog posts, and agency PDFs that assume you already know the vocabulary. This site is a plain-language reference meant to cut through that.

It is not a shortcut, and it is not a promise. The goal is narrower: help you understand how the programs work, organize the facts that actually matter to a decision-maker, and figure out what to ask before you sit across from Social Security, a Veterans Service Officer, or a disability attorney. Here is what you will find here:

• Questions framed the way agencies frame them. The quick snapshot walks through work history, duration of impairment, application status, and representation — the same categories SSA and VA reviewers read before anything else.
• Plain-English explanations of the programs. SSDI and its work-credit requirement, SSI and its income and resource limits, VA disability compensation and ratings, and the patchwork of short-term state programs are each covered in their own guide, in ordinary language.
• An educational AI helper with clear limits. It can explain timelines, documentation, appeals stages, and common terms. It will not tell you whether you will be approved, estimate benefit amounts, or give legal advice, because that is not what it is for.
• No account, no fees, no data collection. The snapshot runs in your browser and stays there. The AI helper does not ask for your name, Social Security number, or address, and you should not share them.
• A focus on preparation, not prediction. Decisions are made by the SSA, the VA, state agencies, ALJs, and licensed representatives — not by this site. The aim here is to help you walk into those conversations with your facts in order and your questions ready.

We are not the government. We are not a law firm. We do not give legal, financial, or medical advice. We are an independent educational resource built to help people like you feel less lost when facing one of life's most stressful challenges: losing the ability to work because of a health condition.

Whether you're just starting to wonder if you might qualify, you've been denied and don't know what to do next, or you're already in the appeals process and need to understand your options, this is the place to start. We help you organize information, understand general rules, and prepare for the conversations that matter most. New to disability benefits? Start with our comprehensive guide to how disability benefits work, which covers SSDI, SSI, VA, and state programs all in one place.

Rapid eligibility snapshot (informational only)

Use this quick self-check to organize key facts before you speak with a benefits representative, advocate, or attorney. Your answers stay on this device; nothing is saved to a server.

Who we are & what this is

The Disability Trust AI is an independent educational resource created by people who understand how confusing and stressful it can be to navigate disability benefits systems. We've seen how overwhelming it feels when you're facing a health condition that limits your ability to work, and you're trying to figure out whether Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), VA disability benefits, or state programs might help — and what steps to take next.

Our mission is simple: to help everyday people feel less lost. We study public guidance from the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and state agencies, and translate it into plain-language checklists, clear timelines, and practical questions you can bring to a professional. We don't replace official guidance or legal advice — we complement it by helping you organize your thoughts before you talk with the people who can make real decisions about your case.

What we are NOT: We are not the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any government agency. We are not a law firm, a medical office, or a financial planning service. We do not make decisions about your claim, determine eligibility, estimate approval odds, or tell you how much money you might receive. We cannot file claims on your behalf, represent you in hearings, or communicate with agencies about your case.

What we ARE: We are an educational tool designed to help you understand general concepts, organize key information, and feel more prepared when you talk with Social Security, the VA, a disability attorney, an accredited representative, or a state agency. Think of us as a helpful starting point — a place to learn the basics, figure out what questions to ask, and understand common terms before you take your next real-world step.

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only. Every person's situation is unique, and disability law can vary depending on your state, your work history, your medical conditions, and many other factors. For advice about your specific case, you should always speak with a licensed attorney, accredited representative, or the appropriate government agency.

How this site is funded: Disability Trust AI is free to read, with no paywall and no account required. Some pages may include clearly labeled partner links (for example, to attorney directories, advocacy organizations, or benefits tools); if a reader clicks one and uses the service, Disability Trust AI may receive compensation. Those labels do not change what the guide says and are never required to access the educational content. See our Privacy Policy and Terms for the full disclosure.

How it works

Using the Disability Trust AI is straightforward. We've designed everything to be simple, anonymous, and focused on helping you prepare for real conversations with the people and agencies that make decisions about your case. Here's how to get the most out of this resource:

1. Start with the quick eligibility snapshot. This short questionnaire asks you to select answers about your work history, the duration of your health conditions, your application status, and whether you currently have representation. These are the same types of questions that Social Security, the VA, and state agencies consider when reviewing disability claims. Your answers stay on your device and are never sent to a server or stored in a database.
2. Review your personalized summary. Based on your answers, the snapshot highlights common paths that people in similar situations often explore. You might see suggestions to learn more about SSDI (if you have recent work history), SSI (if you have limited income and resources), VA disability benefits (if you're a veteran), or state disability programs. You'll also see reminders about appeal deadlines if you've been denied, and suggestions to speak with a representative if you don't already have one.
3. Understand what the snapshot means (and what it doesn't mean). The summary is not a decision, approval, or guarantee. It's an educational guide to help you organize your thoughts and know what to research next. Think of it like a checklist that says, "Here are the programs and topics you should ask about when you talk with Social Security, the VA, or an attorney."
4. Bring your summary to a professional. Print or screenshot your results and use them as a starting point when you contact Social Security (1-800-772-1213), schedule an appointment with a Veterans Service Officer, or consult with a disability attorney or accredited representative. Having this information organized will help you ask clearer questions and have more productive conversations.
5. Ask follow-up questions with the AI helper. On the AI Helper page, you can chat with an educational AI assistant that explains general disability benefits concepts in plain language. You can ask about timelines (like how long appeals take), documentation (what medical records you might need), the difference between SSDI and SSI, what a "medical-vocational allowance" means, and other common terms. The AI helper will never tell you whether you'll be approved, give legal advice, or estimate benefit amounts — it's strictly educational.
6. Take your next real-world step. After using our tools, your next step is to contact the appropriate agency or professional. That might mean filing an application with Social Security, scheduling an appointment with a Veterans Service Officer, requesting your medical records from your doctor, or talking with a disability lawyer about representation. We help you prepare for those steps, but the real decisions happen when you engage with the official systems and licensed professionals.

Important reminder: Nothing on this site is legal, financial, or medical advice. We do not represent you, file claims on your behalf, or communicate with government agencies about your case. For advice about your specific situation, you must speak with a licensed professional (such as a disability attorney or accredited representative) or contact the appropriate government agency directly (Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, or your state disability office).

Common questions