Health and Recovery Services Administration, Department of Social and Health Services

Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities (HWD)  
Welcome to the Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities (HWD) website!  HWD is made available in Washington State under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA) of 1999.
For information about HWD, see the program description below.

For healthcare and other information provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), check out the CMS TWWIIA website that provides information to states, beneficiaries and advocates
on implementation of this legislation.

For information about the Ticket to Work and the many work incentives individuals may use to increase their monthly income and still keep their medical coverage, check out The Work Site published by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

For a SUMMARY GUIDE TO EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, check out
the SSA Red Book.

The employment-support provisions explained in the Red Book can help individuals in their efforts to become as self-sufficient as possible through work.  Employment supports can help an individual to find
a job or start a business, keep cash and medical benefits while working, or save money to go to school.
If an individual works his/her way off cash benefits and later has to stop working, these provisions make
it easier to begin receiving benefits again.

HWD Program Description

The Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities (HWD) program recognizes the employment potential
of people with disabilities, and represents Washington State's response to the "Ticket to Work" legislation passed by Congress in 1999. 

Under HWD, people with disabilities can earn more money and purchase healthcare coverage for an amount based on a sliding income scale.

HWD benefits include:

  • Medicaid benefit package

  • Greater personal and financial independence

  • Members earn and save more without the risk of losing their healthcare coverage

Who qualifies for HWD?  Washington residents who

  • Are age 16 through 64

  • Meet federal disability requirements

  • Are employed (including self-employment) full or part time

  • Have monthly net income* at or below 220% of the federal poverty level:
    $1,986 for one person or $2,672 for a married couple

What does it cost?  Your monthly premium is based on a sliding scale.  It cannot be more than 7.5% of your total income - but it can be less!

Interested in learning more?  If you have been afraid of pursuing your career goals for fear of losing your health coverage, this program may be perfect for you.  To apply for HWD, call one of the numbers below, which also works for TTY users.

Local:  (206)-341-7433  or  Toll Free:  1-800-337-1835

Choose option 2 for "family or adult medical" and tell the Customer Service Specialist you are calling about HWD.

For submitting requested information by fax machine, enter 206-298-4453.

All HWD cases are administered at a single location in the Seattle area with the following exception.  Those accessing services administered by the department's Division of Home and Community Services (HCS) need to contact their local HCS Office.  Click here for information regarding the HCS Office that serves your area.

If you have an application filled out already, send it to:

DSHS R4 CSD
 PO BOX 34350
      Seattle WA 98124

 
For more information about HWD and the
Ticket to Work program, see

 Frequently Asked Questions - HWD

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*Examples for determining net income:

Example 1 - Unearned income (SSDI) of $885; Earned income of $1,865.

Deduct $20 from $885 (885 - 20) for a net amount of $865.  

Deduct $65 from $1,865, then one-half of the remainder [(1,865 - 65) - 900] for a net amount of $900.

Add amounts together to calculate total net income.

In this example, the individual has a net income of $1,765, which is below the income limit.

Example 2 - No unearned income**; Earned income of $3,685.

Deduct $20 and $65, then one-half the remainder from $3,685 [(3,685 - 85) - 1,800]
for a net amount of $1,800.

In this example, the individual has a net income of $1,800, which is below the income limit. 

(For more technical information about eligibility,
see the HWD EA-Z Manual Chapter.)
**The individual is no longer receiving SSDI because of earnings at or above the "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) level of $980 (or $1,640 if statutorily blind) for 3 months after completion of the
"Trial Work Period," but continues to meet federal disability requirements.

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Pathways to Employment - Workshop Presentations

Assistive Technology

Working with SSA When Returning to Work

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Maintenance of this web page is funded in part by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Medicaid Infrastructure Grant CFDA No. 93.768.

For comments or questions regarding Health and Recovery Services , email contact us

Page modified: November 2009       

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