Parent Question

What is the Working Disabled program?

Published: Mar. 20, 2025

When an individual with disabilities is working a job that pays higher than what their public benefits would allow, they may be able to participate in the Medi-Cal Working Disabled program. The way this program works is that if a young adult would otherwise qualify for SSI but for their earned income, then they can pay a small premium to buy into Medi-Cal. It's based on 250% of the federal poverty level, versus 138% for adults, so they're more likely to be able to be able to qualify. In addition, this program does not count disability-related income (such as disabled adult child or DAC benefits) as part of the equation, only earned income. For people who are working and actually earning enough to live on, but maybe it would disrupt their their public benefits, the program is a way that they can continue their access to Medi-Cal.

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