The Connection Between Social Security Disability Benefits and Health Coverage Through Medicaid and Medicare

KFF September 10, 2024
Maiss Mohamed, Alice Burns, Juliette Cubanski

In 2021, 13 million people under age 65 received income from the Social Security disability programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which provide monthly income to people who are unable to work on account of a disability. A less-commonly appreciated benefit of qualifying for Social Security disability programs is the connection to health insurance coverage through Medicare or Medicaid. In most states, SSI beneficiaries automatically qualify for and receive Medicaid coverage, while SSDI beneficiaries qualify for Medicare after receiving disability benefits for at least two years. Many who receive benefits from the SSDI and SSI programs also qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, known as dual-eligible individuals.

This analysis examines enrollment in disability programs and...

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