Disability-Based Medicaid

Disability-Based Medicaid if you don't get SSI

Medicaid is government-funded health coverage for people in certain situations. You may qualify if you:

• Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits or qualify for SSI’s 1619(b) rule, which helps people who used to get SSI. In either case, you automatically get Medicaid coverage and don’t need to worry about the rules discussed here. Learn more in DB101’s SSI article.
• Have low income, no matter how much you have in resources or whether you have a disability. Learn more about income-based Medicaid.
• Have a disability and work, even if your income is higher. Learn more about Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities (MBIWD).

If you have a disability and don't get SSI benefits, you may also qualify for disability-based Medicaid if you:

• Have a disability that meets Social Security’s definition of disability. Learn more about the disability determination process in DB101's SSI article.
• Have countable income and resources below the SSI program's limits. Learn more about SSI's income and resources limits in DB101's SSI article.
• Meet all other Medicaid program rules, such as being a citizen or meeting noncitizen requirements.

For disability-based Medicaid, you must meet all of these conditions. If so, you should probably apply for SSI, because that way you'll get monthly SSI payments and get Medicaid coverage. However, if you aren't getting SSI benefits and need medical coverage now, you can apply for disability-based Medicaid:

• Online, or
• By filling out the combined application form (other languages) and submitting it to your County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) office.

For help with your application, visit or call your local County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) office or call the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680 or 1-800-292-3572 (TTY).

Note: If you have Medicare coverage and don't qualify for Medicaid, you may qualify for a Medicare Premium Assistance Program (MPAP), which would help pay for your Medicare expenses. Learn more about MPAPs.

Staying on Medicaid

Usually, once you are approved for Medicaid, you will continue to qualify as long as your situation doesn’t change. If your income, immigration status, residency, or household size changes, let your County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) office know or report the changes online. When you report your changes, the county will tell you whether you will continue getting Medicaid or if you have new health coverage options, like individual coverage with subsidies or MBIWD.