New York Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD) in 2026
New York’s Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD) lets people with a disability keep their Medicaid coverage while working and earning more than regular Medicaid allows. It has no spenddown, and while a modest income-based premium is written into the rules, premiums are not currently being charged under a state moratorium. You apply through your Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) — in New York City, the Human Resources Administration (HRA) — not the NY State of Health marketplace. Reviewed July 2026. We are an independent information site, not a government agency.
Who can apply
MBI-WPD is for New Yorkers with a disability who are working and would otherwise earn too much for regular Medicaid. To qualify you must:
- Be a resident of New York State;
- Be at least 16 years old — coverage runs up to age 65;
- Have a disability as defined by the Social Security Administration (SSA). An SSA disability determination (for SSDI or SSI) is accepted as proof; if you have not been certified by SSA, the New York State Disability Review Team can do a disability review, and your local social services worker will explain the process; and
- Be engaged in paid work — part-time or full-time both count.
Single people qualify, and married couples qualify when both spouses are working and have a disability. A spouse without a disability, or children, may instead be covered through the NY State of Health under programs such as Child Health Plus — MBI-WPD itself does not offer family coverage.
Income, resources & what it covers
MBI-WPD covers the full scope of Medicaid health services, and it lets you earn far more than regular Medicaid before losing coverage. Per the New York State Department of Health, the current limits are:
- Gross income may be as high as $80,820 for an individual and $109,236 for a couple;
- Non-exempt resources must not exceed $33,038 for a one-person household or $44,796 for a two-person household; and
- Retirement accounts are disregarded — pensions, IRAs, 401(k) and Keogh plans do not count against the resource limit.
Unlike Medicaid with a monthly spenddown, MBI-WPD has no spenddown — you are not required to “spend down” income each month before coverage kicks in. On premiums: the rules allow a modest premium based on income, but the Department of Health states that at this time premiums are not being charged because a moratorium is in place. Whether a premium ever applies to you is decided when you apply, so confirm the current status with your LDSS. If you already have insurance through an employer, keep it and tell your caseworker — Medicaid may help pay that premium.
Documents you need
- Proof of identity and New York State residency;
- Proof of your disability — your SSA award/determination letter, or you will be routed to the NYS Disability Review Team if not yet SSA-certified;
- Proof that you are working — recent pay stubs or an employer statement (part-time counts);
- Proof of income and resources, keeping in mind that retirement accounts are disregarded; and
- Any current health-insurance information, including employer coverage.
Our Benefit Document Checklist builds a personalized list so you can gather everything before you file.
How to apply
- Confirm you meet the basics — New York resident, 16 to 64, working, and disability-qualified through SSA (or ready for a NYS Disability Review Team review).
- Contact your Local Department of Social Services (LDSS). This program is handled by your county LDSS — in New York City, by the Human Resources Administration (HRA) — not through the NY State of Health marketplace. Find your office in the New York State DOH LDSS directory.
- Complete and submit the Medicaid application to your LDSS, telling them you want the Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities. Ask to have any prior spenddown removed.
- Provide your disability proof. Give your SSA determination, or ask the LDSS worker to start a NYS Disability Review Team review if you are not SSA-certified.
- Get your eligibility decision in writing, including whether any premium applies (none is charged during the current moratorium).
Processing, waiting & renewal
Your LDSS reviews your application, verifies your disability and work, and mails a written notice of the decision. Medicaid coverage is renewed periodically — you must report changes and complete your renewal on time to keep coverage, so watch for LDSS mail. Because your income can rise under this program, MBI-WPD is built to protect coverage as you earn more; if your earnings later end SSI cash payments, a separate federal work incentive (section 1619(b)) may also protect your Medicaid. If your application is denied, or coverage is reduced or stopped, your notice explains your right to a fair hearing and the deadline to request one — do not wait, because the deadline is firm.
If you are denied — or need help
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Keep going
GlobalBenefits.org is an independent information website. We are not a government agency and are not affiliated with any federal or state agency. We link to official government sites so you can apply directly and for free. Program amounts and rules change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
Official sources: New York State Department of Health (health.ny.gov) — the Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities program page (eligibility at 16–65, SSA-defined disability and the NYS Disability Review Team, paid-work requirement, the current gross-income limits of $80,820 individual / $109,236 couple, resource limits of $33,038 / $44,796 with retirement accounts disregarded, the no-spenddown rule, the statement that a modest premium is allowed but premiums are not currently being charged under a moratorium, and the instruction to apply at your Local Department of Social Services) and the DOH LDSS directory; Disability Rights New York for appeals help. Reviewed July 2026. Program rules and dollar limits change — confirm the current figures with your LDSS before you rely on any number.