Pennsylvania MAWD in 2026: Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities
Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) lets Pennsylvanians with a disability work and still keep full Medicaid health coverage. You must be 16 to 64, have a disability that meets the Social Security Administration’s definition, and be employed and paying taxes on your earnings. Your countable income must be under 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, and you pay a small monthly premium of about 5% of your income. You apply through COMPASS or your County Assistance Office. Reviewed July 2026. We are an independent information site, not a government agency.
Who can apply
MAWD is for people who have a disability but are working. To be eligible you must:
- Be 16 to 64 years old;
- Have a disability that meets the Social Security Administration’s definition — this can be a physical, intellectual, developmental, or mental-health disability. You do not have to already be receiving SSDI or SSI;
- Be employed and paying the required taxes (such as Social Security and Medicare) on your earnings — there is no minimum number of hours and no minimum earnings; and
- Meet the program’s income and resource limits, below.
Because there is no floor on hours or pay, even part-time or self-employed work can qualify you, as long as it is real employment on which you pay taxes.
Amounts / income / what it covers
MAWD provides the same full Medicaid (Medical Assistance) coverage as other Medical Assistance categories — doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, mental-health services, and more. The financial rules are:
- Income limit: your countable income must be below 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Because MAWD is designed for workers, much of your earned income is not counted, so people earning more than they expect often still qualify.
- Resource limit: countable resources must be below $10,000. Some assets, such as retirement and certain work-related accounts, are not counted.
- Monthly premium: you pay a premium that is usually about 5% of your monthly income. The Department of Human Services sets your exact amount, and it is far less than the cost of private coverage.
Workers with Job Success (WJS): once you have had MAWD for 12 months or more, a higher income tier lets you keep coverage as your earnings grow — income can reach less than 600% of the poverty guidelines. This is meant to reward career progress so that a raise does not cost you your health coverage. Confirm the current WJS rules with DHS, because this expanded tier is newer.
Documents you need
- Proof of identity and Pennsylvania residency;
- Proof of your disability — a Social Security disability determination, or medical documentation your caseworker can use;
- Proof of employment and earnings — recent pay stubs, or business records if you are self-employed and paying taxes; and
- Information about your income and resources (bank accounts, other benefits).
Our Benefit Document Checklist builds a personalized list so you can gather everything before you apply.
How to apply
- Apply online through COMPASS. Go to COMPASS, Pennsylvania’s benefits portal, and start a Medical Assistance application. Say you want MAWD in the application comments or when staff contact you.
- Or apply through your County Assistance Office (CAO). You can apply in person, by mail, or by phone. Find your county on the DHS County Assistance Office directory.
- Or call the Consumer Service Center for Health Care Coverage at 1-866-550-4355 and ask to apply for MAWD.
- Provide your disability and work proof. Your caseworker confirms the SSA disability standard and your employment.
- Set up your premium. Once approved, DHS tells you your monthly premium (about 5% of income) and how to pay it. Keep it current to keep your coverage.
Processing, waiting & renewal
Medical Assistance applications are generally decided within about 30 days, though a disability-based determination can take longer if a disability decision is still needed. There is no enrollment waiting list for MAWD — if you meet the rules, you are enrolled. You must renew each year and report changes in your job, income, or resources when they happen. If your work ends, ask your caseworker about other Medical Assistance categories so your coverage does not simply stop. If your application is denied or your coverage is reduced, your notice explains your right to a fair hearing and the deadline to request one — do not wait.
If you are denied — or need help
These are official or federally designated organizations. They do not charge you to help.
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: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (pa.gov) — the Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) program page (ages 16-64, the Social Security disability definition, employment with no minimum hours, income below 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, the below-$10,000 resource limit, the premium of “usually about 5%” of monthly income, and the Workers with Job Success tier that lets income reach less than 600% of poverty after 12+ months); the COMPASS application portal (compass.state.pa.us); the DHS County Assistance Office directory; Disability Rights Pennsylvania for appeals help. Reviewed July 2026. Program limits change — confirm the current figures on pa.gov before you apply.