Pickle Amendment 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 people who lost SSI because of Social Security raises. SSI is a monthly payment for people with little income. You must once have gotten SSI and Social Security at the same time. The county checks for this when you apply for Medi-Cal.
Who runs it: Santa Clara County / DHCS

What the program may consider

You get Social Security (Title II) benefits now
You once got SSI and Social Security in the same month, after April 1977
Your SSI ended because Social Security started or went up
You would still meet SSI rules if later Social Security cost-of-living increases were ignored

How to get it

Free, full Medi-Cal for people who lost SSI because of Social Security raises. SSI is a monthly payment for people with little income. You must once have gotten SSI and Social Security at the same time. The county checks for this when you apply for Medi-Cal.

Before you start

You need this first Social Security retirement benefits. You must get monthly Social Security benefits now. Retirement, survivor and disability benefits all count.

How to apply

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.

The same application can also ask for CalFresh Food, CalWORKs, Extra Help with Medicare drug costs, General Assistance, Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal and 11 more.

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

Getting help

Someone can apply for you

Anyone can help you fill out the application. You can also name a person or an organization to act for you on form MC 382. They can sign your application and renewals, send papers, and ask about your case. You can limit what they may do. They cannot get your Medi-Cal card. They get copies of your letters only if you ask on the form. 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

When SSI stops, your Medi-Cal keeps going while the county reviews your case.
If your SSI just stopped
The state
Each January, the state mails a notice to people who may qualify. It comes 3 years in a row. If you get one, contact the county.
Only if you get the notice
The stateA helper can help with this
You can also apply for Medi-Cal at any time. There is no separate form. The county checks this program first.
The county
The county checks if you would still get SSI if your later Social Security raises were not counted. If so, you qualify.
The county
The county may ask for the date your SSI stopped and your Social Security award letters. If someone gives you free housing or food, you may fill out a form about it.
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.
If you can get Medicare, the county asks you to sign up with Social Security. You never have to pay for Medicare Part A to keep Medi-Cal. Once you have Medi-Cal, you can sign up for Part B any time of year.
If you are 65 or older, will be soon, or are disabled
Social SecurityA helper can help with this
You get a letter that says yes or no. If you are on the state's January list, the county must decide by the end of February.
The countyWithin 45 days of applying. For people on the January list, by the end of February.
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

Contact the county if you get the January notice, or apply for Medi-Cal.
Sign the application, or have the person or organization you named on form MC 382 sign it.
Only you, or someone with legal power over your affairs, can name a helper on form MC 382.
Send any papers the county asks for that it cannot check itself.
Sign up for Medicare if you qualify and the county asks you to.
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: The county must decide within 45 days. If you are on the January list, it decides by the end of February. Then you have 30 days to pick a health plan.
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. The county updates your budget after each Social Security raise. 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.

Coming changes

Starting January 1, 2027: For applications from January 1, 2027, Medi-Cal can pay bills from only 2 months back, not 3.

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.