Aged, blind, or disabled

Program requirements

Individuals age 65 or older or who have blindness or a disability

If you're age 65 and older, or have blindness or a disability, and meet income and resource requirements*, Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) may provide health care coverage and help pay for Medicare premiums and medical expenses.

What is the most I can make per month to qualify?

*The income standards listed in these examples are subject to change annually every January.

Applying for Apple Health coverage

• Online: Visit washingtonconnection.org.
• Paper application: Print out and complete Form 18-005. Mail the form to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS): DSHS Community Services Division, P.O. Box 11699, Tacoma, WA 98411-6699.
• In person: Visit a Community Services Office near you. Visit the DSHS site for locations.
• Phone: Call DSHS at 1-877-501-2233.

Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities (HWD)

HWD provides coverage to individuals with blindness or a disability who have earned income and purchase health care coverage based on a sliding income scale. HWD has no asset test and no upper income limit.

To be eligible, an individual must:

• meet federal disability requirements
• be employed (including self-employment) full or part time
• be at least 16 years of age
• pay the monthly premium

HWD enrollees pay a monthly premium determined as a percentage of their income, never to exceed 7.5 percent of their total income. American Indians and Alaska Natives are exempt from paying premiums for HWD. Find more information about HWD for individuals receiving services from Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) or Home and Community Services (HCS). To learn more read the HWD fact sheet.

Enrollment next steps

If you’re accepted, you'll receive a ProviderOne services card in about two weeks. Coverage will begin on the first day of the month in which you have medical expenses and agree to requirements for paying the monthly premium. This may be the month of application or the month your application is approved. In some cases, a person may have coverage under another Apple Health program in the month they apply, such as program administered by DDA or HCS.

If a person needs coverage for up to three months before the month they apply, they must pay the premiums for those months before coverage can be approved. You'll have the option to select a managed care plan online or will be auto-enrolled into a plan, unless you have Medicare or other comprehensive insurance. Learn more about enrollment next steps.