July 2025 Spotlight on
Social Security Newsletter

Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) Spotlight on Social Security Newsletter brings exciting news, work incentive information, success stories, and other valuable information for beneficiaries receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), their families, and the professionals who serve them. Our webinar and newsletter series are offered every other month.

In this issue:

July 17 Webinar – Healthcare Options for People with Disabilities:
Understanding Medicare & Medi-Cal Options When Working

Join us and the Center for Healthcare Rights (CHCR), part of the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), to learn about Medicare and Medi-Cal options for people with disabilities who work or plan to work. Learn how these programs provide continued access to healthcare and support your ability to get the care you need while working. This session will give you the facts to better understand your coverage and make confident, informed decisions about your healthcare.

Time: 10:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. PST
Location: Zoom

Register for the July 17 Webinar

Featured Spotlight Article – Managing Social Security Benefits Online

Thinking about working or earning more? You don’t have to choose between working and keeping your Medi-Cal or Medicare. California has programs that let you do both.

Whether you receive SSI, SSDI, or are just getting started with DOR, keeping healthcare is often a primary concern when considering going to work. Below are some helpful options that protect your healthcare coverage while you work.

SSI and Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal (Medicaid) provides basic medical coverage for individuals who meet certain income and/or disability criteria. These programs ensure you keep your coverage long-term while you’re working. If you rely on In Home Supportive Services (IHSS), these programs help you keep that support as your income changes.

SSI Linked Medi-Cal

If you get SSI, you automatically receive Medi-Cal. When you start working, you can usually keep your Medi-Cal. This is a great way to start earning without losing your healthcare coverage, as long as:

  • You continue to receive any amount of SSI each month..

  • Your resources stay under the SSI limit ($2,000 for individuals, $3,000 for couples).

SSI and Section 1619(b): Keep Medi-Cal While Earning

If you’re on SSI and working, you can keep your Medi-Cal even if your SSI cash payment stops due to work and earnings, thanks to Section 1619(b). You don’t need to reapply for Medi-Cal, it continues automatically. You stay covered as long as:

  • You still have a disability..

  • You were on SSI for at least one month.

  • You need Medi-Cal to work.

  • Your resources stay under the SSI limit ($2,000 for individuals, $3,000 for couples)

  • Your earnings are below California’s 2025 limit: $64,517/year (or $66,542 if you’re blind).

  • You may qualify for higher income limit if you have high medical expenses; SSA reviews each case individually in these circumstances.

250% Medi-Cal Working Disabled Program (WDP)

If you have a disability and earn money from work, this Medi-Cal program lets you keep full benefits even if your income is higher than normal Medi-Cal limits. If you don’t qualify for Medi-Cal through SSI, you can still get coverage through the WDP. In 2025, you can earn up to $79,332 per year and continue receiving Medi-Cal benefits. You can apply for this program at your local County Social Services Office or visit, BenefitsCal.

Additional details:

  • SSDI and other disability benefits do not count toward the income limit.

  • Must do some type of work for pay each month, as little as $25.

  • You get full Medi-Cal, including doctor visits, prescriptions, IHSS, and more.

SSDI and Medicare: Keep Your Medicare While Working

If you receive SSDI, you become eligible for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. This means you can get health coverage through Medicare starting in your 25th month of SSDI benefits. This includes eligibility for:

  • Part A – Free Hospital Insurance

  • Part B – Premium Based Medical Insurance

  • Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage

Extended Period of Medicare Coverage (EPMC)

Keep Medicare (all parts) for at least 93 months (7 years and 9 months) after a 9-month Trial Work Period. This means you can work and still maintain your Medicare coverage during this period, even if your cash benefits stop due to earnings, if you continue to have a disability. To learn more, visit: EPMC.

Medicare for People with Disabilities Who Work

After the EPMC ends due to work, you can buy continued Medicare coverage to ensure continued healthcare, as long as you continue to have a disability. Apply through SSA. To learn more, visit Medicare for People with Disabilities Who Work.

Help with Medicare Costs

250% Medi-Cal Working Disabled Program (WDP)

As noted above, this program may also help SSDI recipients. Earn up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and still get free Medi-Cal. In 2025, this means you can earn up to $79,332 per year. More good news, Medi-Cal will pay your Medicare premiums and other expenses. Apply through your local County Social Services Office or visit, BenefitsCal. For more information, visit CHCR Fact Sheet.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) in California

You may qualify for help with Medicare costs through the Medicare Savings Programs. These programs help people on Medicare pay for premiums, deductibles, and copays. When you apply, only about half of your earned wages count toward the income limits. To see if you qualify, contact your local County Social Services Office or visit the CA Medicare Savings Programs page. These programs are:

  • Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program

  • Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program

  • Qualifying Individual (QI) Program

  • Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program

Extra Help with Medicare Part D Drug Costs

If you have Medicare and a low income, you may qualify for Extra Help (also called the Low-Income Subsidy), which lowers the cost of prescriptions. To learn more, visit Apply for Medicare Part D Extra Help Program and Understanding the Extra Help with Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. To apply, contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778).

  • You automatically qualify for Extra Help if you receive Medi-Cal or are in a Medicare Savings Program.

Need Help Understanding Your Options?

Contact your local HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program), which offers free, one-on-one help with health insurance related issues.

  • Medi-Cal and Medicare questions

  • Applying for the 250% Working Disabled Program or MSPs

  • Choosing the right Medicare plan

  • Choosing the right Medicare drug plan

Call: 1-800-434-0222

Visit: California Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)

Resources:

This Month’s DOR Work Incentive Planning Services (WIP Services) Success Story

Lani, a 34-year-old living with bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, came to the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) in 2020 looking for support to build more independence and improve her mental health.

With help from her DOR Rehabilitation Counselor and WorkAbility II Coordinator, she began building job skills and exploring opportunities while continuing school. Her anxiety sometimes made working feel overwhelming, but she was motivated to find purpose and give back to her community.

Lani receives both SSI and SSDI and was worried that working might cause her to lose the benefits she counts on. To help ease her fears, Lani was referred to Corina, a DOR Work Incentive Planner (WIP). Corina helped her understand that she could work part-time and keep her SSI and SSDI. They talked about reporting wages, using Social Security work incentives, and how her Medi-Cal and Medicare could continue. Lani was relieved to learn that Medi-Cal could even help pay her Medicare premiums.

With this support, Lani started a customer service job. More than a year later, she still enjoys her work, feels supported by her employer, and is proud of the progress she’s made. She says working has brought her more social connection, confidence, and stability.

Lani encourages others who feel nervous about working to take it slow and ask for help. “Your benefits won’t just disappear,” she says. “Keep your pay stubs, report your income, and follow the rules. It’s worth it.” Lani’s journey is proof that working while keeping vital benefits is possible, with the right information, support, and encouragement.

Watch Inspiring Success Stories on Our Spotlight on Social Security YouTube Channel.

You Too Can Work with a WIP like Lani

Thinking about getting a job but not sure how it will affect your benefits? A WIP can help!

  • Learn the details about how work affects SSI or SSDI.
  • Get the facts about keeping Medi-Cal or Medicare while working.
  • Make informed decisions with confidence.

Talk to your DOR counselor for a referral for DOR WIP Services.

If you're not receiving DOR services, contact the Ticket-to-Work Helpline for free benefits planning through a local Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. Call 1-866-968-7842 (TTY: 1-866-833-2967) or visit the TTW Find Help Tool.

Interested in Receiving DOR Services?

If you are ready to take the first step in an exciting journey with DOR, please click here to get started. You will need to provide additional information about yourself to request services.

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