Working Disabled Program
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The 250% Working Disabled Program (250% WDP) allows certain working disabled individuals to become eligible for Medi-Cal by paying low monthly premiums based on net countable income. Program enrollment is done at the local county welfare department.
To Qualify, Individuals Must Meet the Following Criteria:
Continuously meet the federal definition of disability, without regard to ability to perform substantial gainful activity.
Work Requirement: To be eligible for the program, you must be working and must report any work activity or service you are paid for to your local county welfare department. There are no minimum hours or amount you must earn in order to be eligible. For example, your work activity could be regularly picking up recyclable items to earn income. You are required to show proof of employment or self-employment, with a pay stub, written verification from an employer, or other credible evidence of self-employment.
Reminder – To be considered for this program, the application must include information about your work activities. If you already applied, then you can forward your employment verification to your local county welfare department or ask for information on how to submit your documentation.
Have net family income of less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level; and
Eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary program benefits if it were not for your earned income.
Reduction of Premiums to Zero Dollars ($0)
Starting July 1, 2022, a new California law allows the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to reduce the premiums to zero dollars ($0) for all participants enrolled in the 250% WDP. This means beneficiaries enrolled in the 250% WDP no longer need to pay a monthly premium. Your Medi-Cal benefits remain the same.
Payments will not be processed and will be returned. If you have previously signed up for automatic payments through a bank, you will need to cancel any future scheduled payments. Scheduled EFT payments will be cancelled by DHCS.
For questions about this change, or about Medi-Cal, please call the Medi-Cal Helpline at (800) 541-5555. You may call Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except holidays. For questions about your Medi-Cal eligibility, please contact your local Medi-Cal county office. You may find a list of county offices online at https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/CountyOffices.aspx.
For questions about WDP payments, you may call the Phone Support Unit at (916) 445-9891 Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Waiver of Premiums During COVID Emergency
Due to the end of the Public Health Emergency, DHCS is no longer accepting premium waiver requests for request dates after May 11, 2023.
This form may also be used for requesting information on the 250% WDP, including confirming receipt of a premium payment, inquiring about premium payment history, inquiring about the status of a premium payment refund, and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payment assistance. We will respond to your inquiry by secure email within 24 hours.
If you are an individual appointed as an authorized representative and completing this form on behalf of a 250% WDP beneficiary, an Appointment of Authorized Representative Form (MC 382) is required. If you are an organization appointed as an authorized representative and completing this form on behalf of a 250% WDP beneficiary, an Authorized Representative Standard Agreement for Organizations Form (MC 383) is required. The completed form must be uploaded with the 250% WDP Online Inquiry Form. Please contact your local county office to receive a copy of the MC 382 and MC 383 forms or to appoint an authorized representative. The MC 382 or MC 383 form is required as authorization for DHCS to communicate with an authorized representative.
For questions about WDP payments, you may also call the Phone Support Unit at (916) 445-9891 Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
250% WDP Frequently Asked Questions
What is my Client Index Number (CIN)?
Your CIN is the set of eight consecutive number (beginning with a "9") followed by one letter, (example: 90000000A), located on your Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC). This is also your DHCS Account Number.
Am I eligible for the 250% WDP?
Please contact your local county welfare department for 250% WDP enrollment, to request an evaluation, and/or questions about your eligibility. The phone number can be found in the government pages of your local white pages or on the
county website. If you have additional questions regarding eligibility, please refer to your
local county welfare department and their contact information.
Do you have any changes?
Please contact your local county welfare department to report any personal information changes such as any of the following examples:
- New Address
- New Phone Number
- Change in Income/Salary
- No Longer Working
Information entered in the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Payment Website will not affect your records on the Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System. Please refer to your
local county welfare department and their contact information.
