EDD unemployment income limits for Medi-Cal eligibility in 2025

Yes, both unemployment benefits and SSDI count as income for Medi-Cal eligibility purposes. For 2025, if you're aged (65+) or disabled, the income limit for an individual is $1,732 per month (138% of Federal Poverty Level). However, there are special programs like the Working Disabled Program and the 250% Working Disabled Program that might help if you're over the limit. Your total monthly income would be around $3,650 (SSDI + unemployment), which is over the basic limit. I'd recommend applying anyway because: 1. There's a Medi-Cal program specifically for people with disabilities with higher income limits 2. They consider your medical expenses which can lower your 'countable income' 3. The Aged & Disabled Federal Poverty Level program might work for you You should contact your county Medi-Cal office directly rather than the general helpline.

the income limits change like every yr so make sure ur getting the 2025 info!! my mom got kicked off bcuz they used old numbers to calculate her benefits last yr... such a mess

I went through something similar last year when I lost my job. YES unemployment counts as income and YES SSDI counts too for Medi-Cal. It's all income. What saved me was applying for the Medi-Cal 250% Working Disabled Program - I was able to do some part-time consulting work which qualified me as 'working' even though I was also on unemployment. The regular income limit was way too low for me too, but this program has a much higher threshold - 250% of federal poverty level which is like $3,250/month for an individual in 2025. I'd recommend applying ASAP because there's often a waiting period and you don't want to have a gap in coverage!

To give you the most accurate information: the Medi-Cal program you want to look into is called the Aged, Blind, & Disabled (ABD) Medi-Cal program. For 2025, the income limit for an individual is $1,732 monthly, but there are important deductions applied: 1. They don't count the first $65 of earnings plus half of the remaining earned income 2. They allow a $20 general income deduction 3. They deduct health insurance premiums you pay So your actual 'countable income' might be lower than your total income. And yes, both unemployment and SSDI count as income, but they're treated differently when calculating eligibility. If your countable income is still too high, look into the Medi-Cal 250% Working Disabled Program as mentioned or the Medi-Cal Access Program. Call your county Medi-Cal office directly rather than the general line. Ask for a eligibility worker who specializes in ABD Medi-Cal.

Ughhh the Medi-Cal system is THE WORST! when i was on unemployment last year they kept sending me confusing letters saying i was approved then not approved then needed to verify identity AGAIN. total nightmare. good luck!!!

Have you tried contacting EDD directly about how unemployment affects your Medi-Cal eligibility? I was stuck in a similar situation trying to get answers about how my UI benefits affected my healthcare coverage. After trying for weeks to get through on the regular EDD line with no luck, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The EDD rep I spoke with was actually really helpful and explained exactly how my unemployment benefits affected my Medi-Cal eligibility and directed me to the right department. Saved me so much frustration after weeks of getting nowhere.

Just a heads up that Medi-Cal and EDD are completely different systems and most EDD reps don't know much about Medi-Cal eligibility. Your best bet is to contact your county social services department directly - they handle Medi-Cal applications. The state DHCS website (Department of Health Care Services) also has good info on income limits for different programs.

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I called my county Medi-Cal office this morning and spoke with someone who specializes in the ABD program. She confirmed that both my unemployment and SSDI count as income, but with the deductions (especially my supplemental health insurance premium), my countable income is lower. She also said my part-time freelance work makes me eligible to apply for the 250% Working Disabled Program, which would give me much more breathing room with the income limits. I've submitted my application and have an appointment next week to finish the process. I feel so much better knowing I have options! Thank you all again for your guidance.

This is such great information in this thread! I'm in a similar situation - just got laid off from my job and trying to figure out how my unemployment will affect my existing Medi-Cal coverage. I'm 42 and have been on Medi-Cal through the expanded eligibility program, but now I'm worried my UI benefits might push me over the income limit. Does anyone know if there's a grace period when you first start receiving unemployment? Like, do they immediately recalculate your Medi-Cal eligibility or is there a window where your coverage continues? I'm supposed to report income changes within 10 days but I'm scared of losing coverage while I'm job hunting. Also, has anyone had experience with how they handle the transition if you do go over the income limit? Do they just cut you off or help you transition to other coverage options?