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SSI Supplemental Security Benefits Income Automatic Medi Cal

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in California

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program for people who are aged, blind, or disabled and who have limited income and resources. In California, SSI is often closely connected to Medi-Cal health coverage, which is why many people come here trying to understand how the programs fit together.

This page is designed to give you a plain-English overview first, followed by links to more detailed state and federal resources. If you only need the short version, start with the sections below.

Start Here

Is Medi-Cal Automatic With SSI?

For many California residents, qualifying for SSI is closely linked to Medi-Cal eligibility. One of the most common questions people ask is whether SSI will also mean health coverage through Medi-Cal. In many cases, the answer is yes, but different program categories and special situations can affect how eligibility is handled.

That is why it is important to understand not only whether you qualify for SSI, but also how SSI, Medi-Cal, and in some cases Medicare work together.

Get more information and view citations

How Much Does SSI Pay?

SSI is intended for people with limited income and limited resources. The monthly benefit amount can change from year to year, and the amount an individual receives may also depend on income, living arrangements, and other support.

Social Security Publication 05 11125 Payments for SSI in CA

If your main question is simply whether SSI could help provide a monthly cash benefit and connect you to Medi-Cal, that is usually the first issue to review before digging into the more technical rules.

Income and Resource Limits Matter

SSI is a needs-based program. That means eligibility depends not just on disability, blindness, or age, but also on financial rules involving income and assets. Many people get confused because they may qualify medically, but still have questions about whether they meet the financial side of the rules.

If you are researching SSI for yourself or a family member, focus on these questions first:

  • Is the person aged, blind, or disabled under SSI rules?
  • Is the household income low enough?
  • Are countable resources within the allowed limits?
  • Does the person fall into a special category that changes how benefits are treated?
  • SSA.Gov  Resources  – Assets 

Special Situations Can Change the Answer

Not every SSI case is straightforward. Some people qualify under special rules or have related benefit issues that affect their Medi-Cal or Medicare situation. One example is the Disabled Adult Child (DAC) category, which can create questions about how benefits interact and whether other coverage remains available.

This is one reason many visitors leave this page for official government sources and then come back again. They are often trying to confirm whether a general SSI rule applies to their own specific situation.

What If You Have Medicare Too?

Some people receiving SSI or Medi-Cal may also have Medicare. When someone has both Medicare and Medi-Cal, the rules and plan choices can become much more complicated. That is where understanding Medicare + Medi-Cal coordination becomes important.

If you are trying to understand how these programs work together, you can review my Medicare page here:
Learn more about Medicare and Medi-Cal plan coordination  AKA Medi Medi

Official Resources and Detailed Publications

Some visitors want the short answer. Others want the official publications, handbooks, and agency references. Both approaches are reasonable. The links and materials below can help you verify details directly with government and benefits sources.

A good approach is to start with the plain-English overview on this page, then use the official resources below for confirmation and deeper research.

Bottom line: most people coming here are trying to answer one practical question: Does SSI help me get cash assistance and health coverage, and what happens if I also have Medicare or a special status? That is the purpose of this page — to make those connections easier to understand before you dig into the technical details.

 

Confused?  Need Help?  Email Us - Ask a Question  [email protected]

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Medi-Cal  is usually  #automatic1  for those with SSI – Supplemental Security Income

***Yes,  according to

 

Confused?  Need Help?  Email Us - Ask a Question  [email protected]

email us Steve@SteveShorr.com

Schedule a Zoom Meeting - See the actual brochures &
Steve Face to Face

schedule a zoom meeting
Want More Details? (Optional)
Supporting documents, rules, and deeper explanations are below if you want them — most people don’t need them.

SSI = Automatic Medi Cal 

Our page on DAC Disabled Adult Child - when parent dies, retires or becomes disabled

Representative #Payee

Guide for Representative Payees

Guide for Representative Payees Publication # # 5 10076

  • Gets your Social Security check and manages the money $$$
  • ssa.gov/payee   Home Page
    • Social Security’s Representative Payment Program provides benefit payment management for our beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
    • We appoint a suitable representative payee (payee) who manages the payments on behalf of the beneficiaries. Generally, we look for family or friends to serve as payees. When friends or family members are not able to serve as payees, we look for qualified organizations
  • FAQ’s for Representative Payee

 

 

  1. WHAT DOES “DISABLED” MEAN FOR AN ADULT?
    1. If you are age 18 or older we may consider you “disabled” if you have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment (including an emotional or learning problem) which:
      1. results in the inability to do any substantial gainful activity; and
      2. can be expected to result in death; or
      3. has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

  2. WHAT IS SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY (SGA)?

    We use the term substantial gainful activity (SGA) to describe a level of work activity and earnings that is both substantial and gainful. SGA involves performance of significant physical or mental activities, or a combination of both. For your work activity to be substantial you do not need to work full time. Work activity performed on a part-time basis may also be SGA. If your impairment is anything other than blindness, earnings averaging over $1,070 a month (for the year 2014) generally demonstrate SGA.

    Gainful work activity is:

    1. small blue ballwork performed for pay or profit, or

      small blue ballwork of a nature generally performed for pay or profit; or

      small blue ballwork intended for profit, whether or not a profit is realized.

  4. Is SSI Title XVI?
  5. Resource & Income Limits 
  6. SSI Home Page – Table of Contents on Social Security Website
  7. Medicaid – Medi-Cal is generally automatic.
    1. Extra Payments for SSI in CA # 11125 

What is the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and
how can I apply?

 

SSI Publication # 5-11000

  1.  

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Basics.

FAQ’s

 

Jump to section on:

SSI #Resources & Income Limits

 

The Aged & Disabled  Medi-Cal program uses SSI countable income rules  as well as a few extra rules you should know. For more information, visit our webpages on the  SSI & Medi Cal programs, and follow the various links on this page

FLASH!!!

The asset limit in the Medi-Cal programs serving older adults and people with disabilities has been eliminated!  Ooops, better double check that!   CA Health Care Advocates *  DHCS  *

  1. Have less than $2,000 in Countable assets for an individual ($3,000 for a couple).
    1. Medi-Cal property limitations.
    2.  asset questionnaire
    3. CANHR Fact Sheet
    4. Understanding Medi-Cal’s Asset Test for Seniors and People With Disabilities
    5. Western Poverty Law 
    6. Nolo – SSI Income & Asset Limits
    7. Income SSA.Gov
      1. SSA Site
    8. Will my settlement affect my government benefits?  VIDEO
    9. dhcs.ca.gov/Asset-Limit-Changes-for-Non-MAGI-Medi-Cal
      1. dhcs.ca.gov/asset test amendment
      2. dhcs.ca.gov/Asset-Limits-Report
    10. california healthline.org/sset-test-elimination
    11. FAQ’s
    12. Our webpage on SSI Resources & Income
  2. Have less than… of FPL  in countable monthly income for an individual … for a couple). ca health advocates.org ADFPL    *  AB 715 Fact Sheet * Western Poverty Law  * 
    1. Share of Cost if income is too high, but you qualify on asset test?

6 Steps to apply for Social Security #Disability

 

 

InsuBuy International Medical Coverage –
Instant Quotes & Enrollment

Travel Insurance

Coverage for Travel - $50k Emergency under Medicare Medi Gap or MAPD Advantage may not be enough!

HOW DOES DEEMING – Considering Parents Income WORK FOR A CHILD?

 

The term deeming means –  identifies the process of considering another person’s income and resources to be available for meeting an SSI claimant’s (or recipient’s) basic needs of food and shelter.  SSA.gov *

If a child is under age 18, not married, and lives at home with parent(s) who do not receive SSI benefits, we may consider a portion of the parents’ income and resources as if they were available to the child. We may also count a portion of a stepparent’s income and resources if the child lives with both a parent and a stepparent (or an adoptive parent and a stepparent). We also do this when a child is temporarily away at school, returns home during weekends, holidays or during the summer and remains subject to parental control.

We make deductions from deemed income for parents and for other children living in the home. After we subtract these deductions, we use the remaining amount to decide if the child meets the SSI income and resource requirements for a monthly benefit.

NOTE For more information, see the SSI Spotlight on Deeming Parental Income and Resources.

 

WHEN DOES DEEMING NOT APPLY?

 

Deeming from the parent stops when a child attains age 18, marries, or no longer lives with a parent. Deeming does not apply, and we may pay up to $30 plus the applicable State supplement when:

small blue and black arrowa disabled child receives a reduced SSI benefit while in a medical treatment facility; and

small blue and black arrowthe child is eligible for Medicaid under a State home care plan; and

small blue and black arrowdeeming would otherwise cause ineligibility for SSI benefits.

Also, we do not consider the income of a parent for deeming purposes if the parent receives a Public Income Maintenance payment (PIM) such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and his or her other income was used to compute the PIM payment.

NOTE See SSI AND ELIGIBILITY FOR OTHER GOVERNMENT AND STATE PROGRAMS for information on TANF.

If either child or parent is temporarily absent from the household (less than 60 days), the rules about deemed income still apply. ssa.gov/ssi child-ussi

In–Kind Income is food or shelter that you get for free or less than its fair market value.

Bibliography

Supplemental Security Income # 11125

Ticket to Work Program

 

#Disability SSI & SSDI Publications, Resources & Links

 

Social Security Publications relating to Disability, SSI, SSDI

 

FAQ's

  1. What must I do to Qualify?
    1. Must be total & permanent disability
  2. What is Social Security's eligibility process
  3. Where is Social Security's home page for disability
  4. Can I get a Disability "Starter Kit?
  5. Tell me more about the Ticket to Work Program which gives you more choice in obtaining the services one needs to be able to go back to work and achieve your employment goals.
  6. Where can I get more disability information?
  7. Can I get an estimate of my retirement benefits? Sample Calculation
  1. Nolo.com Disability Benefits

 

Medicare Coverage

 

#SSI-Related Programs, Private Disability  & Coverage Groups


Income & Asset Limits

Our web pages on:

#Social Security Disability
Factors in Evaluating 

Table of Contents

DISABILITY DETERMINATIONS
600. Who qualifies for disability determinations?
601. What is a “medically determinable” impairment?
602. Impairment Lasting or Expected to Last at Least 12 Months
603. Definition of Substantial Gainful Activity
604. Independent Determinations Under the Social Security Act
605. Does SSA make disability determinations on a disability-rating schedule?

MEDICAL EVIDENCE
606. Medical and Other Evidence as Basis for Decision of “Not Disabled”
607. Medical Evidence as Basis for Decision of “Disabled” -- Listing of Impairments

DISABILITY EVALUATION
608. What if your condition does not meet or medically equal a listing?
609. Evaluation Considering Age, Education, and Work Experience
610.
611. Does your employment condition affect a disability determination?

EVIDENCE OF DISABILITY
613. Are you considered disabled if you are receiving treatment for an impairment?
614. Evidence of Disability
615. Categories of Evidence
616. Consultative Examinations
  Compassionate Allowances program identifies claims where the applicant’s disease or condition clearly meets Social Security’s statutory standard for disability.

SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY
617. Importance of Substantial Gainful Activity
618. How does work at the substantial gainful activity level affect disability?
619. Definition of “Activity”
620. Significance of Earnings
621. How are your earnings as a self-employed person considered in determining substantial gainful activity?

DISABILITY STATUS CEASES
622. When are continuing disability reviews conducted?
623. When does disability end?

Parents & Care Givers

Check out our webpage on getting your own private disability coverage, in addition to Social Security Disability or SDI State Disability Coverage

 

FAQ's 

 

 

Call Social Security 1-800-772-1213

 

How Work Affects SSI and SSDI:

  • Call Disability Rights California 1-800-776-5746
  • Call the Ticket to Work Help Line 1-866-968-7842
  • Contact a Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) counselor

PRISON 

How does being incarcerated – Jail, #Prison affect Social Security or SSI Benefits?

Please read this pamphlet from Social Security 10504 

get back your social security benefits

 Prerelease Agreements – Institutionalization. https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0423530001

Benefits for the  Incarcerated 

This fact sheet describes

Dental for Everyone - Instant Quotes and Enrollment

Work & Disability 

#Working while disabled # 10095

working while disabled

Red Book – – Employment Supports for those on SSI & SSDI # 64-030   60 pages  HTML

Red Book Social Security Working for those on SSI & SSDI

#Work and Disability

Disability Benefits Brochure # 10029

Learn more — Working While Disabled 10095

socialsecurity.gov/work.

FAQ 

Overpayments

Appeals 

See our main webpage on ALL appeals

Find an Attorney

resources to find an attorney to help you

ssa brochure on overpayments

Overpayments En 05 10098 

Hitler & Mental Health Disabilities T 4 

Speak up!  Do want you can to make sure this doesn't happen in the USA! 

Translation for the poster below:

"This person suffering from hereditary defect  costs the community $60,000 Reichsmark during his lifetime. Fellow German, that is your money, too. Translation & Image Courtesy of Psychology Fantom.com 

nazi t 4 program

 

Under  the T 4 program,  wikipedia.org T4  Certain German physicians were authorized to select patients "deemed incurably sick, after most critical medical examination" and then administer to them a "mercy death" (Gnadentod).[7] The T4 programme stemmed from the Nazi Party policy of "racial hygiene", a belief that the German people needed to be cleansed of racial enemies, which included anyone confined to a mental health facility and people with simple physical disabilities.[31]  wikipedia.org T4  

The annual cost for a bed in a CDCR-operated, inpatient psychiatric program is around $301,000 lao.ca.gov * 

Did President Trump??? really say and mean this?   Time.com 

 

How SSI, Medi-Cal, and Medicare Work Together

SSI, Medi-Cal, and Medicare are separate programs, but they often overlap. Understanding how they connect can affect your benefits and plan options.

Do You Have Both Medicare and Medi-Cal?

Some people who receive SSI also have Medicare and Medi-Cal. If you have both, you may want to learn how Medi-Medi plans work, what benefits may be combined, and how to compare your options carefully.


Learn about Medicare + Medi-Cal (Medi-Medi) plan options

Supplemental Security Benefits (SSI)

SSDI if you worked and become disabled

 

Please note, that this page is way beyond our pay grade.   We are not qualified to answer your questions.  Contact legal counsel, your Social Worker, or the Social Security Office…

 

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) – What You Need to Know

If you have little income and limited assets, you may qualify for SSI — and in California, that usually means automatic Medi-Cal health coverage.

Start Here

You can scroll below for detailed publications and official Social Security resources.

Official Publications & Detailed Resources

Scroll here for full SSA publications, legal references, and detailed guides.

Most People Visiting This Page Want One of These Answers:

Do You Also Have Medicare?

Some people on SSI also qualify for Medicare. If you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal, your plan choices can be very different.


Learn how Medicare + Medi-Cal plans work

Before you go to the official SSA guide, here’s the key takeaway:
SSI is income-based and may automatically link to Medi-Cal in California.

Here’s the short answer before you leave: SSI is income-based and often linked to Medi-Cal in California.

Before you go to the official SSA guide, here’s the key point:
SSI is income-based, and in California it is usually linked to Medi-Cal eligibility.

Is Medi-Cal Automatic With SSI?

In California, most people who qualify for SSI are automatically eligible for Medi-Cal health coverage.

Special SSI Situations (DAC and Others)

Some individuals qualify for SSI under special rules, including Disabled Adult Child (DAC) status.

Want the official details?

How SSI Works in California (Simple Explanation)

Before going to the official sources, here’s the simple version:

  • SSI is based on income and assets
  • In California, SSI is usually linked to Medi-Cal
  • Some special programs (like DAC) can change eligibility

Do You Also Have Medicare?

Some SSI recipients also qualify for Medicare. If you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal, your plan options may be very different.

Learn how Medicare + Medi-Cal plans work

Start Here

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