Virginia Medicaid Works expands access for working individuals with disabilities

The Community Stakeholder Meeting held on April 17, 2025, focused on the Medicaid Works program, a component of Virginia's Medicaid initiative aimed at supporting working individuals with disabilities. The meeting began with an introduction to Medicaid Works, which was established federally in 1999 and adopted by Virginia in 2007. This program is designed to assist individuals who can earn income while still requiring some support from Medicaid.

The program offers a unique benefit package that includes personal care services, which are typically only available through higher-need waiver programs. Despite the advantages of Medicaid Works, enrollment remains low, with only 94 individuals currently participating out of nearly two million Medicaid members in Virginia.

Eligibility for Medicaid Works requires individuals to meet both non-financial and financial criteria. Non-financial requirements include having a disability, which does not necessitate receiving Social Security disability benefits. Financially, applicants must earn income and establish a work incentive account, which allows them to disregard additional earned income to remain eligible for the program.

The meeting detailed the financial eligibility requirements, highlighting that initial applicants must have an income at or below 138% of the federal poverty line, which translates to approximately $1,800 per month. The program also allows individuals to earn up to $75,000 annually, provided that this income is deposited into the designated work incentive account.

The discussion emphasized the importance of raising awareness about Medicaid Works to increase enrollment and better serve the community. The meeting concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to help promote the program and its benefits to potential enrollees. Overall, the session underscored the need for continued outreach and support to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access the resources they need to thrive in the workforce.