Is it faster to get Medi-Cal or SSI?

Because recipients of SSI automatically qualify for Medi-Cal, some families wonder whether they should apply for SSI or Medi-Cal first if they want to get services in place quickly. While neither application process is fast, a Medi-Cal application will likely get processed sooner.

You can apply directly for Medi-Cal and SSI at the same time. Medi-Cal has stricter timelines to reply. Once you apply to Medi-Cal, the state must give an answer within 45-90 days; each county has different response times. If applying with an urgent medical need, they could expedite the decision. On the other hand, an SSI application can take many months, up to a year.

See our full article Medi-Cal 101 to learn about different options for applying for Medi-Cal, including step-by-step walkthroughs in the Undivided app.