Disabled Adult Child protection in Santa Clara County

A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.

UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.

What to know

Why it may fit: Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
What to do next: Free, full Medi-Cal for adults disabled before age 22 who lost SSI. SSI is a monthly payment for people with little income. They lost it when Social Security childhood disability benefits started or went up. The county sets it up from a Social Security list.
Who runs it: Santa Clara County / DHCS

What the program may consider

Your disability began before age 22 and you are at least 18
You once got SSI based on blindness or disability
You get Disabled Adult Child benefits now
Your SSI ended because DAC benefits began or increased

How to get it

Free, full Medi-Cal for adults disabled before age 22 who lost SSI. SSI is a monthly payment for people with little income. They lost it when Social Security childhood disability benefits started or went up. The county sets it up from a Social Security list.

How to apply

OnlineBenefitsCal websiteApply online for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and cash aid, any time of day.
PhoneMedi-Cal health plan choice line (Health Care Options): 1-800-430-4263
PhoneHICAP free Medicare counseling: 1-800-434-0222Free, unbiased help with Medicare choices.
PhoneSocial Security: 1-800-772-1213TTY 1-800-325-0778
PhoneSanta Clara County benefits line: (408) 758-3800Apply or ask questions by phone, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FaxSanta Clara County benefits fax: (408) 295-9248
MailSanta Clara County benefits mail: P.O. Box 11018, San Jose, CA 95103
In personSanta Clara County benefits offices: 1867 Senter Rd, San Jose; 1330 W. Middlefield Rd, Mountain View; 379 Tomkins Ct, Gilroy

You can also use: California's one application for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and cash aid

Online it is BenefitsCal. On paper it is the SAWS 2 PLUS. One application can ask for several programs at once.

Getting help

Nothing to file

There is nothing to file. The county sets this up from a Social Security list. You can still name a person or organization on form MC 382 to help with letters and renewals. They cannot get your Medi-Cal card. You can cancel at any time. In Santa Clara County, a name typed into a helper's own app does not count as your signature. Sign in ink, by phone with the county, or through an approved e-signing service.

You can name a person or an organization to act for you: ask for Appointment of Authorized Representative (MC 382).

What happens after you apply

Each month, Social Security sends a list of people who lost SSI because of childhood disability benefits.
Social Security
A county team that works this list opens Medi-Cal for you. You do not need to apply.
The county
If you have no Medi-Cal now, you can apply. The county will check you for other Medi-Cal programs.
Only if you lost SSI and have no Medi-Cal
YouA helper can do this for you
The county may ask for your Social Security award letter and the date your SSI stopped.
Only if the county cannot check something itself
The countyA helper can do this for you You get 10 days. If they do not arrive, the county asks again and gives 10 more days.
You get a letter that approves free, full Medi-Cal.
The countyNo time is published. It depends on when you appear on the monthly list.
If you are new to Medi-Cal, a plastic Medi-Cal card comes by mail. Sign the back. If you had Medi-Cal before, keep your old card. Without Medicare, you also show it at the pharmacy. Need care before the card comes? Ask the county about a temporary paper card.
The stateOnly you can do thisIt is mailed about 2 business days after approval.
Health Care Options, a state helper line, mails you a plan packet. In Santa Clara County, you can pick Santa Clara Family Health Plan or Anthem Blue Cross. Kaiser is only for some people, such as recent Kaiser members, their family, and people with Medicare. Pick within 30 days, or one is picked for you. With Medicare, this choice is yours alone. HICAP gives free, unbiased help.
The stateOnly you can do thisYou have 30 days to choose.
Your health plan mails you its own member card. It names your main doctor if you did not pick one. Bring both cards to visits.
Your health plan
If you have Medicare, a Medicare drug plan covers your prescriptions, not Medi-Cal. You also get Extra Help with drug costs automatically. If you have no drug plan, Medicare picks one for you. Changing it is your own choice. HICAP gives free, unbiased help.
Only if you have Medicare
Medicare
If you have Medicare Part B, Medi-Cal starts paying the premium about 2 months after approval. Social Security pays you back for premiums taken out in the meantime.
Only if you have Medicare Part B
The stateAbout 2 months after approval.

What only you can do

Send any papers the county asks for that it cannot check itself.
Get your Medi-Cal card at your address and sign the back. A helper cannot receive it for you.
Choose your Medi-Cal health plan within 30 days. If you have Medicare, any Medicare plan choice is yours alone. HICAP gives free, unbiased help.
Tell the county about changes within 10 days, including changes in savings or property.

How long it takes: No time is published. It depends on when you appear on the monthly Social Security list.
You are enrolled when: You are enrolled when your approval letter shows this program with no share of cost. Your Medi-Cal card must also work. A share of cost is an amount you pay each month before Medi-Cal pays. Then a health plan is set up for you.
To keep it: Renew once a year and report changes within 10 days. This program has no savings limit right now. Disagree with a county letter? Ask for a hearing within 90 days.

Can’t be combined with

Supplemental Security Income / State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP). This is for people who no longer get SSI. SSI already comes with Medi-Cal.
Qualifying Individual (QI). You cannot get QI help with Medicare costs while you have this Medi-Cal.
Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI). You cannot get QDWI help with Part A costs while you have this Medi-Cal.

Choosing a Medicare plan is your decision. UniHealth does not choose, recommend, or enroll anyone in Medicare plans. For free, unbiased help, call HICAP at 1-800-434-0222.