MR #09.03: Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities (HBWD)

Summary:

Effective December 1, 2001, Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) began a medical program called, Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities (HBWD).
Eligibility for HBWD is determined by the HFS HBWD Unit (Local Office 250).
Persons with disabilities may work and still receive medical coverage.
Persons eligible for HBWD receive the same medical benefits as other persons receiving AABD medical.
Effective December 1, 2001, the income standard for HBWD was 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) with a $10,000 asset limit.
Effective February 1, 2009, the income standard increases to 350% of the FPL and the asset limit increases to $25,000.
Beginning February 1, 2009 retirement accounts that an individual or spouse cannot access without penalty before age 59 1/2 and some Medical Savings Accounts are exempt (if established under 26 U.S.C. 220).
Persons who apply for AABD community medical, who have been on HBWD, are allowed to continue to exempt the assets they had when they left HBWD.
System changes have been made that will identify exempt assets for a person who was on HBWD who is applying for AABD community medical.
Persons eligible for HBWD are required to pay a monthly premium.
If an applicant is eligible for regular medical, with no spenddown, they will be referred to the Department of Human Services (DHS) Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) to apply.
The DHS FCRC staff may refer individuals who have questions about HBWD to 1-800-226-0768 (TTY 1-866-675-8440).