Chương trình dành cho Người khuyết tật Đi làm của Medi-Cal (WDP) là gì?

What is the Medi-Cal Working Disabled Program (WDP)?

The WDP program provides full scope Medi-Cal to disabled individuals who work and have income that is too high to qualify for other Medi-Cal categories. For this program, you can have up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level in countable income and still receive Medi-Cal benefits. Note: Medi-Cal’s Working Disabled Program used to have a monthly premium. Starting on July 1, 2022, there is no more premium. Learn more about this change.

You may be eligible for Medi-Cal’s Working Disabled Program (WDP) if you meet all the following criteria:

1. You meet Medi-Cal’s definition of disability. Your earnings due to work are not considered when determining whether a disability exists or persists.
2. Your total countable income can not exceed 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (see FAQ 3);
3. You meet assets requirements for Medi-Cal. This Medi-Cal program exempts all Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approved retirement accounts, such as employer sponsored 401k, 403b accounts, or individual retirement accounts (IRAs) authorized in the IRS codes; and
4. Your countable unearned income is less than the appropriate SSI/SSP benefit rate. Again, disability income doesn’t count.
5. You are working.

Is all of my income taken into account when determining 250% of the federal poverty level for this Medi-Cal program?

No. This program uses Social Security’s countable income calculation to determine your income. Additionally, the WDP Program does not count unearned income from private or public disability benefits (such as SDI, SSI, SSDI, STD, LTD ) when determining your countable income.

Important: Medi-Cal’s deeming rules apply when a worker has combined household income, for example income from a spouse.

Countable Income

The amount of income that Social Security or the state counts when figuring out if you qualify for benefits and, if so, the level of benefits you should get. Not all of your income counts.

Example: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) counts most unearned income, but a bit less than half of earned income. So, if you have $500 in unearned income and $500 in earned income, your countable income for SSI would be just $697.50, even though your total income would be $1,000. Other programs, such as disability-based Medi-Cal and Medicare Savings Programs often use calculations similar to SSI’s.