SSDI and VA Compensation Don't Count as Income for Apple Health

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation are excluded from the income calculation that Washington uses to determine Apple Health coverage. This means you can receive both SSDI and VA payments without those dollars reducing your may be able to access or causing you to lose coverage. Washington's Apple Health program treats these two income sources differently than it treats wages, self-employment income, or other benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

The exclusion applies to the full amount of your SSDI or VA compensation check — not a portion of it. If you receive $1,500 per month in SSDI, that entire $1,500 is set aside and does not count toward Apple Health's income limits. The same rule applies whether you receive VA disability compensation, VA pension, or both.

This rule exists because federal law requires states to disregard SSDI and VA payments when calculating Medicaid (which Apple Health is) income limits. Washington follows this federal mandate, which means the rule does not change based on your age, disability type, or how much you receive.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI payments and VA compensation are completely excluded from Apple Health income calculations, so they will not reduce your coverage or cause you to lose it.
  • The exclusion covers the full amount of your monthly SSDI or VA check, regardless of how much you receive.
  • Other income you receive — such as wages, SSI, unemployment, or pension payments — still counts toward Apple Health's income limits.
  • If you receive both SSDI and VA compensation, both are excluded; you only count other income sources when determining your coverage.
  • You must report your SSDI and VA income to Apple Health when you explore or renew, even though it does not count against you.

What Income Does Count Against Apple Health

While SSDI and VA compensation are excluded, Apple Health does count other income sources. Wages from employment, self-employment income, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), unemployment benefits, pension payments, and interest or dividend income all count toward your income limit. If you work part-time while receiving SSDI, your wages count — but your SSDI does not.

This distinction matters because Apple Health's income limits are based on the federal poverty level. For 2024, a single adult can earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level and still may have access to for Apple Health. That threshold is roughly $1,900 per month for an individual, though the exact amount changes yearly. When you report income to Apple Health, you list everything you receive, but the program subtracts the SSDI and VA amounts before comparing your total to the limit.

If you receive SSI along with SSDI, only the SSI counts. This is important because some people receive both — SSI provides a small additional payment if your SSDI is below a certain threshold. The SSI portion counts toward your income limit, but the SSDI portion does not.

How to Report SSDI and VA Income When You explore

When you explore for Apple Health or renew your coverage, you will be asked to report all income sources, including SSDI and VA compensation. You must list these amounts even though they will not count against you. Washington's process asks for your monthly income from each source, so have your Social Security statement or VA award letter available.

You can explore for Apple Health online through Washington's Health Benefit Exchange (HBE) website, by mail, by phone at 1-855-923-4633, or in person at your local community health center or Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) office. When you report SSDI or VA income, the system automatically excludes it from the calculation — you do not need to ask or explain that it should be disregarded.

If you are already receiving Apple Health and your SSDI or VA payment changes, you should report the change within 30 days. An increase in SSDI or VA will not affect your coverage, but reporting it keeps your file accurate and prevents confusion during future renewals.

SSDI Work Incentives and Apple Health

If you work while receiving SSDI, you may be able to use work incentives that allow you to earn more without losing benefits. The most common work incentive is the Student Earned Income Exclusion (for people under 22 who are students) and the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a work goal. These work incentives can affect your SSDI, but they do not change how Apple Health treats your income.

Your wages still count toward Apple Health's income limit, even if you use a work incentive to protect your SSDI. For example, if you use a PASS to set aside $500 of your monthly earnings, Social Security will not count that $500 when calculating your SSDI benefit. But Apple Health will count it. This means you could lose SSDI protection but still stay under Apple Health's income limit — or vice versa.

Work incentives are complex and vary based on your situation. If you are working or planning to work, contact your local Work Incentives Planning and information (WIPA) project or Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program. These free services help people on SSDI understand how work affects both their SSDI and their health coverage.

What Happens If Your Income Changes

If your SSDI or VA compensation increases or decreases, your Apple Health coverage will not change as a result. The exclusion applies regardless of the amount. However, if your other income changes — such as a wage increase or a new job — you should report it to Apple Health. Changes in non-excluded income can affect your coverage.

Apple Health coverage is continuous as long as you remain under the income limit when counting only non-excluded sources. If you lose your job or your wages drop, your coverage stays in place. If you gain employment and your wages push you above the income limit, you may lose coverage — but only because of the wages, not because of any change in SSDI or VA.

Washington also has a rule called "continuous enrollment" for people with disabilities. If you are receiving SSDI or SSI, you may be able to stay on Apple Health even if your income temporarily exceeds the limit, as long as you remain disabled and your income does not exceed a higher threshold. Ask your Apple Health caseworker whether this protection applies to you.

VA Pension and Apple Health

VA pension is different from VA disability compensation, but Washington treats both the same way for Apple Health purposes — both are excluded from income. VA pension is a needs-based benefit for low-income veterans and their survivors. If you receive a VA pension, that amount does not count toward Apple Health's income limit.

Some veterans receive both VA disability compensation and VA pension. This is rare, but when it happens, both amounts are excluded. You will receive separate award letters from VA for each benefit, and you should report both when you explore for or renew Apple Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I get SSDI and start working, will I lose Apple Health?

Not because of the SSDI. Your wages count toward Apple Health's income limit, but your SSDI does not. Whether you keep coverage depends on whether your wages alone push you above the income limit. If your wages stay below roughly $1,900 per month, you should stay covered. If they exceed that, you may lose coverage — but you can reapply if your wages drop later.

Do I need to send Apple Health my Social Security award letter or VA letter?

You do not need to send them when you explore, but you should have them available. Apple Health may ask for proof of your SSDI or VA income during the process or if there is a question about your income later. Keeping copies of your award letters makes it easier to respond quickly if asked.

What if I receive SSDI but my spouse works and earns a lot?

Apple Health looks at your household income, which includes your spouse's earnings. Your SSDI is excluded, but your spouse's wages count. Whether your household qualifies depends on your spouse's income, your household size, and whether you are filing as a married couple or separately. Contact Apple Health to discuss your specific situation.

Can I get Apple Health if I only receive VA compensation and no other income?

Yes. Since VA compensation is excluded, you are treated as having zero countable income. You will may have access to for Apple Health regardless of how much VA compensation you receive. You still must explore and report your income, but the process will show you as income-may be able to access.

Does Apple Health cover the same things for someone on SSDI as for someone on wages?

Yes. Apple Health coverage is the same regardless of your income source. Whether you may have access to through SSDI, wages, or another reason, you receive the same benefits package. The only difference is how your income is counted to determine whether you may have access to.