​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​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:

1. Continuously meet the federal definition of disability, without regard to ability to perform substantial gainful activity.
2. 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.


 

3. Have net family income of less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level; and
4. 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. ​

Starting July 1, 2022, premium payments recei​ved by check or electronic funds transfer (EFT) will not be processed. Checks received through mail will not be processed and will be returned. Due to processing fees that may occur, money orders received through mail will be processed, and a refund will be issued (a check sent to your home). If you have previously signed up for automatic payments through a bank, you will need to cancel any payments scheduled after July 1, 2022. Scheduled EFT payments will be cancelled by DHCS.

For questions about this change, or about Medi-Cal, please call the Medi-Cal Helpline at 1-800-541-5555. 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 AM – 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.​

Waiver of Premiums During COVID Emergency

Due to the state of emergency, participants in the 250% WDP may request a waiver of monthly premiums for the months of March 2020 through the end of the public health emergency for individuals or couples who have been impacted.

If you cannot pay your 250% WDP premiums because of school closures, unemployment, or other reasons as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis, please submit your request for your premium to be waived by calling 916-445-9891 and letting our support staff know that you are having a hardship as a result of the COVID-19 emergency, or by using the 250% WDP Online Inquiry form below. If you have already paid your premiums, for the months of March 2020 through the end of the public health emergency, you may request a refund of those premiums.

• 250% WDP Online Inquiry Form

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 AM – 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

250% WDP Frequently Asked Questions