Understanding Your Disability Benefits

Programs and Support:

You don’t have to figure out benefits alone. There are programs and experts available to guide you, answer questions, and connect you with opportunities. These resources can help you apply, manage, and plan:

• Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) – The California DOR helps individuals with disabilities achieve independence through employment. Services include benefits counseling to navigate SSI and SSDI, vocational rehabilitation for job search and skills training, and personalized plans that connect people with community resources, assistive technology, and independent living supports.

• Social Security Administration (SSA) – The SSA manages SSI and SSDI benefits, offering applications, benefit verification, and official program details. Through a 'my Social Security' account, users can track earnings, review benefits, and access online services.

• Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Projects – WIPA projects help SSI and SSDI beneficiaries understand how work affects benefits, explaining rules like Trial Work Periods and Extended Eligibility. They provide personalized counseling and referrals to employment supports.

• Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) – DB101 offers calculators, plain-language guides, and success stories to show how work and benefits can work together. Users can estimate how income affects SSI, SSDI, Medi-Cal, and Medicare.

• Medi-Cal and Medicare Programs – Health coverage tied to SSI (Medi-Cal) or SSDI (Medicare), with different eligibility rules and timelines.

Key Facts About SSI and SSDI:

It’s easy to mix up SSI and SSDI because the program acronyms are alike, but they serve different purposes. Knowing which applies to you helps you understand the type of support and healthcare available. Here is what sets them apart:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) -

  • For people with limited income and resources (under $2,000 for an individual, $3,000 for a couple).
  • No work history required.
  • Includes automatic Medi-Cal coverage in California.

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) -

  • Based on your work history and Social Security tax contributions.
  • No asset/resource limit.
  • Includes Medicare after a two-year waiting period.

Concurrent Benefits:

You may qualify for both SSI and SSDI if your SSDI payment is low. This provides dual Medi-Cal and Medicare coverage.

Practical Steps to Navigate Working and Benefits:

Knowledge is power! Taking small, clear steps makes benefits easier to manage:

• Apply for SSI or SSDI by calling 1-800-772-1213, visiting ssa.gov, or going to your local SSA office.

• Verify your benefits using an Award Letter, Benefit Verification Letter, or Benefits Planning Query (BPQY, form SSA-2459).

• Keep detailed medical records and be aware of income/resource rules for your program.

• Be patient when applying. The application process can take 4–8 months, but persistence pays off.

• Need additional assistance? Disability lawyers, community organizations, and your State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency (DOR) can support you, often at no cost.

• Need Comprehensive Benefits Counseling?

  • If you are a DOR consumer: Ask your Counselor to refer you to a Work Incentive Planner (WIP) to get personalized guidance with clear, individualized information about work incentives that support your transition to employment. You can also visit our DOR WIP page or visit the Webinar page for upcoming and past webinars.
  • If you are not a DOR consumer: Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Projects offer free individualized work incentives counseling to eligible individuals, helping you understand how employment affects your benefits. Use "Find Help" online to locate your local WIPA.

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Disability benefits are here to support you, not to hold you back. By understanding SSI and SSDI, the healthcare they provide, and the supports available, you can use these programs as a foundation for stability while planning your future and taking steps toward independence.