How SSDI and Medicaid Work Together

SSDI provides monthly cash benefits to people with qualifying disabilities who have worked and paid into Social Security. Medicaid, on the other hand, is a state-run health insurance program designed to cover low-income individuals.

In many states, including Wyoming, it is possible to qualify for both SSDI and Medicaid, depending on your income and resources. This is often called being “dually eligible.”

Medicaid Eligibility in Wyoming for SSDI Recipients

Here’s how the process typically works in Wyoming:

• SSDI and Medicare: After receiving SSDI for 24 months, you automatically qualify for Medicare, a federal health insurance program.
• Medicaid with SSDI: If your SSDI benefit amount is low enough, or if you meet income guidelines, you may still qualify for Medicaid alongside Medicare.
• Income Considerations: Wyoming uses both income and resource limits to determine Medicaid eligibility. Your SSDI income counts toward these limits, but you may still qualify if your benefit is modest.

This means you could have SSDI for monthly income and Medicaid to cover health costs until Medicare coverage begins—or even alongside Medicare if your income remains within Medicaid limits.

Benefits of Combining SSDI and Medicaid in Wyoming

Having both SSDI and Medicaid can provide important advantages:

• Financial Protection: Medicaid can cover out-of-pocket medical expenses that SSDI cash benefits alone cannot.
• Access to Care: Medicaid often covers services not included in Medicare, such as long-term care and home health assistance.
• Bridge to Medicare: If you are waiting for Medicare to begin after SSDI approval, Medicaid may help provide affordable health coverage during the waiting period.