How Do I Get Medicaid With Social Security Disability?
Getting the health care you need
You might have spent months, or maybe even years, proving to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that your health prevents you from working, that you have the legal definition of a “disability” and that you deserve Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.
But once you’ve successfully won benefits, how do you keep up with your extremely high health care costs?
We all know Social Security Disability benefits don’t pay nearly what you made when you worked. Receiving benefits eases the burden of your everyday expenses, but monthly health care expenses can still be overwhelming.
You should consider whether you qualify for Medicaid — a government-funded health insurance program that helps provide medical insurance for people just like you who might otherwise go without health insurance coverage.
If you have questions about receiving Medicaid along with Social Security Disability benefits, give us a call.
Why health coverage is crucial
When health problems make it impossible for you to work, you need to take care of yourself.
Having health care is important for your well-being.
That includes medications you need, therapy, assistive devices and co-pays for doctor visits.
Having access to health care is also important for your disability benefits. You will need to show a record of continuing medical treatment to maintain SSD benefits.
How do I qualify for Medicaid?
So just when you thought you were done with all the paperwork and red tape of applying for SSD, now comes the time to file for the Medicaid health insurance you need in order to manage your disabling condition.
You’ll need to work with a completely separate government agency and prove that you deserve Medicaid benefits.
The good news is that because you receive SSD benefits, you might already meet one of the qualifications for Medicaid: You have a disability. Your paperwork from Social Security proves it.
Next you must show that your household income doesn’t exceed certain limits.
In the Waco area, these are the general income requirements, according to Benefits.gov:
| Number of People in Household* | Maximum Annual Income Before Taxes |
| 1 | $23,522 |
| 2 | $31,720 |
| 3 | $39,917 |
| 4 | $48,114 |
| 5 | $56,311 |
| 6 | $64,508 |
| 7 | $72,725 |
| 8 | $80,962 |
*If you have more than 8 people in your household, add an additional $8,237 to your maximum annual income before taxes per additional person.
If your household meets these income requirements, then together with proof from the SSA that you legally have a disability, you could qualify for Medicaid.
If you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits from Social Security – which are income-based – there’s also a good chance you also qualify for Medicaid.
How do I start my Medicaid application?
You can start your Texas Medicaid application online or by phone:
- At YourTexasBenefits.com
- Or toll free at: 1-877-541-7905
And of course, if you need help along the way, feel free to reach out to us for advice navigating the complicated Medicaid system.
