Improvements for Medi-Cal's Working Disabled Program

The Medi-Cal Working Disabled Program has several new program rules that improve the benefits of the program for people who are disabled and working. These rules have been in effect since August 2011. The Working Disabled Program allows disabled individuals who are working to access Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services. Individuals enrolled in the program have full Medi-Cal benefits without a share of cost. You can read more about the program on DB101’s section on Medi-Cal.

The new program rules include:

• Once enrolled in the Medi-Cal Working Disabled Program, individuals can save earnings in a separately identifiable account with no cap or limit. The savings in this separate bank account will not count against the programs resource limits of $2000 for an individual and $3000 for a couple.
• While an individual is in the Working Disabled Program, any savings in an IRS-approved retirement account will not towards the program’s resource limit. Savings in these retirement accounts will continue to be exempt if the individual transfers to other aged, blind or disabled Medi-Cal programs.
• Social Security retirement income will not count as income when determining the eligibility for the Program of individuals who were previously on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This will allow some individuals to remain on the Working Disabled Program after they reach Social Security retirement age.
• There is a 26-week grace period per year to remain enrolled in the Working Disabled Program if one becomes unemployed and is between jobs.