Does Social Security Disability Provide for My Healthcare?

Yes, Social Security provides for your healthcare indirectly by eventually qualifying you for Medicare or Medicaid coverage. If you are approved for SSDI, Disabled Widow's or Widower's Benefits, or Disabled Adult Child Benefits you will receive automatic Medicare coverage after you have been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for two years. For example, if Social Security deems that your disability began in June 2004 and you filed your claim within a year of that date, you will be covered by Medicare in June 2006 regardless of when Social Security approved your claim.

If you receive SSI you will get Medicaid. It is possible to get both Medicare and Medicaid if you are on SSI and receive another type of disability benefit form Social Security. To find out more, contact your local Medicaid agency.