Social Security does not prohibit an individual from using their disability benefits to buy a house. However, SSI or concurrent SSI/SSD beneficiaries should be careful. SSI disability beneficiaries can own the home and land they live on, but other property will be counted as an asset. To receive SSI, you can't have over $2,000 in assets (or $3,000 if you're married).
However, it's unlikely that someone receiving SSI alone would be able to afford a house. But if the individual is making some income (under the allowed SSI amount), he or she may be able to buy an inexpensive house.
On the other hand, Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits can be much higher than SSI disability benefits. If the individual's credit has not been ruined, as a result of having to "wait it out" through the disability approval process, he or she may qualify for a mortgage based upon the amount of their Social Security disability benefits. In addition, Social Security disability beneficiaries often receive very large disability back payments (especially if the individual was awarded disability benefits at an administrative law judge hearing) that could help with the purchase of a house. SSDI has no asset limits. The purchase of a house they don't live in would not affect their eligibility for Social Security disability benefits.
