What California offers people with disabilities

California runs several programs for people with disabilities, but they are separate systems with different rules, funding sources, and purposes. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs administered by the Social Security Administration. State Disability Insurance (SDI) is a California-only program that covers temporary disabilities. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program and often connects to SSDI or SSI. California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) helps people return to work. Understanding which program covers your situation depends on your work history, income, assets, and the nature of your disability.

Many people with disabilities in California receive benefits from more than one program at the same time. For example, someone approved for SSDI typically becomes may be able to access for Medicare after two years, and may also may have access to for Medi-Cal depending on their income. The programs do not always communicate automatically, so you may need to report changes to each one separately.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI is for people with a work history who became disabled; SSI is for people with low income and assets, regardless of work history.
  • California's SDI covers temporary disabilities lasting two weeks to one year and is funded by payroll deductions from your wages.
  • Medi-Cal covers medical care and connects to SSDI and SSI, but has separate income and asset limits that vary by program.
  • The California Department of Rehabilitation offers vocational training and job placement for people with disabilities who want to work.
  • You must report changes in income, living situation, or work status to each program separately; they do not automatically share information.

SSDI versus SSI: Which one covers you

SSDI requires a work history. You must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned enough Social Security credits. The amount you receive is based on your own earnings record, not on how much money you have now. There is no asset limit for SSDI, and you can have a spouse and children on your record. SSDI is the path for people who worked before becoming disabled.

SSI has no work requirement. You must have less than $2,000 in countable assets (or $3,000 if you are married), and your monthly income must be below a certain threshold. SSI is means-tested, meaning your current financial situation determines whether you may have access to. SSI also covers blind and aged individuals, not just people with disabilities. In California, SSI recipients automatically receive Medi-Cal.

Some people may have access to for both SSDI and SSI at the same time. This is called concurrent receipt. It happens when your SSDI payment is very low—below the SSI federal benefit rate—and your other income is also low. In that case, SSI tops up your SSDI to the SSI amount. You must report to both programs and follow both sets of rules.

California State Disability Insurance (SDI) for temporary disabilities

SDI is not the same as SSDI. SDI covers disabilities that are expected to last between two weeks and one year. It includes pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery from surgery. SDI is funded by a small payroll deduction from your wages—you do not pay into it separately. If you were employed in California and became temporarily disabled, you may have SDI coverage even if you do not have SSDI.

You file for SDI through the California Employment Development Department (EDD), not through Social Security. The process is faster than SSDI—most decisions come within two to three weeks. SDI payments are lower than SSDI, but they can bridge the gap while you recover or while you wait for an SSDI decision.

If your temporary disability becomes permanent, you can explore for SSDI while receiving SDI. Some people transition from one program to the other. However, SDI and SSDI are not connected—you must file for SSDI separately with Social Security, and the EDD does not do that for you.

Medi-Cal and how it connects to SSDI and SSI

Medi-Cal is California's health insurance program for low-income people. If you receive SSI, you are automatically enrolled in Medi-Cal with no separate process. If you receive SSDI, you are not automatically enrolled, but you may be able to get Medi-Cal based on your income and assets. The income and asset limits for Medi-Cal are different from the limits for SSDI and SSI, so you must check both.

Medi-Cal covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, mental health services, and long-term care. For people with disabilities, Medi-Cal often covers services that Medicare does not, such as dental care and vision care. If you have both Medicare (from SSDI) and Medi-Cal, Medi-Cal is your secondary insurance and fills in gaps.

Medi-Cal has a work incentive called Medicaid Buy-In that lets you keep Medi-Cal even if you work and earn too much for SSI. This is important if you want to work but need to keep your health coverage. You must meet income and asset limits for the Buy-In program, which are higher than the regular SSI limits.

California Department of Rehabilitation and work incentives

The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is separate from Social Security and Medi-Cal. DOR helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep jobs. You do not need to be on SSDI or SSI to use DOR services. DOR can pay for vocational training, education, assistive technology, and job coaching. If you are on SSDI or SSI and want to work, DOR can help you navigate work incentives.

Work incentives are rules that let you earn money without losing all your benefits. Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) let you deduct the cost of disability-related items from your earnings before Social Security counts your income. Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) lets you set aside income and resources for a work goal without affecting your SSI. These programs exist to encourage people with disabilities to work, but they have strict rules and require planning.

DOR can help you understand which work incentive fits your situation and how to report it to Social Security. DOR also has a Ticket to Work program, which is federal but administered by DOR in California. Ticket to Work lets you work without losing SSDI benefits for up to nine years, as long as you are working toward a goal and reporting your progress.

How to report changes and avoid overpayments

Each program has its own reporting requirements. If you receive SSDI, you must report to Social Security if you start working, if your living situation changes, if you marry or divorce, or if you have a child. If you receive SSI, you must report changes in income, living situation, and household composition. If you receive Medi-Cal, you must report changes in income and household size. These programs do not share information, so you must contact each one separately.

Failing to report changes can result in an overpayment—money you received that you were not supposed to get. Social Security can recover overpayments by reducing your future benefits, and you may have to repay the money. If you think you have been overpaid, contact the program when ready and ask about a waiver, which can forgive the debt under certain circumstances.

The easiest way to report changes is through the program's website or by calling the local office. For SSDI and SSI, you can create a my Social Security account online. For Medi-Cal, you can use the CalHEALTH website. For SDI, you report through the EDD website. Keeping records of when you reported changes protects you if there is a dispute later.

Understanding California's asset and income limits

Asset and income limits vary by program and change each year. SSI has a $2,000 asset limit for individuals and $3,000 for couples. SSDI has no asset limit. Medi-Cal has higher asset limits than SSI, and the limits depend on which Medi-Cal category you fall into. Some assets do not count toward the limit—for example, your home, one vehicle, and certain retirement accounts are usually excluded.

Income limits also vary. SSI has a monthly income limit that changes yearly; in 2024, the federal benefit rate is $943 for individuals, but California adds a state supplement. SSDI has no income limit, but if you work, your earnings above a certain amount can reduce your benefits. Medi-Cal income limits are higher than SSI limits and depend on your household size and category.

Because the limits are complex and change, you should check the current limits with each program before making decisions about work or spending down assets. Social Security, the EDD, and the California Department of Health Care Services all publish current limits on their websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSDI and California SDI at the same time?

Yes. SDI covers temporary disabilities, and SSDI covers permanent disabilities. You can collect SDI while waiting for an SSDI decision, or you can have both if your situation qualifies for both. However, if you receive SDI and then are approved for SSDI, Social Security may offset your SSDI payment by the amount of SDI you received during the same period.

What happens to my Medi-Cal if I start working?

If you receive SSI, your Medi-Cal continues as long as you remain on SSI, even if you work and earn money. If you receive SSDI and Medi-Cal separately, your Medi-Cal may end if your income rises above the limit. The Medicaid Buy-In program lets you keep Medi-Cal while working if you meet the income and asset limits for that program.

Do I have to use the California Department of Rehabilitation?

No. DOR services are optional. However, if you want to work and are on SSDI or SSI, DOR can help you understand work incentives and avoid losing benefits. Many people find DOR services useful for job training and placement, but you can also work without DOR involvement.

What if I disagree with a decision from Social Security or Medi-Cal?

Both programs have appeal processes. For Social Security, you can request reconsideration, then a hearing before an administrative law judge, then appeals to higher levels. For Medi-Cal, you can request a state hearing. You have a limited time to appeal—usually 60 days from the date of the notice—so act quickly if you disagree.

How do I know which program to explore for first?

If you have a recent work history, explore for SSDI first; it usually pays more and has no asset limit. If you have little or no work history, explore for SSI. If your disability is temporary, file for SDI through the EDD. You can explore for more than one program at the same time, and you do not have to choose.