Program
Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD)
Verified · October 23, 2026 Deadline soon — check dates
Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) is a Medicaid eligibility category that allows people with disabilities to have a job and keep their Medicaid coverage, including any services and supports received through a waiver program. If your employer offers health insurance, MAWD can help cover supports that assist with your disability if you need additional coverage beyond what your employer offers. If your income increases, you can keep MAWD coverage through MAWD Workers with Job Success if you have had MAWD coverage for more than a year and your income exceeds MAWD’s limit.
- Organization
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS)
- Who qualifies
- You must have a disability that meets the federal Social Security Administration's definition; this can be a physical, intellectual, developmental, or mental health disability. You must also be 16-64 years old, have a paying job, and meet income and resource requirements. To qualify, you will also need to verify your disability if you are not already considered disabled by the Social Security Administration or Pennsylvania's Medical Review Team.
- Income limits
- Countable income must be below 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (RULES_LOCK dollar figures: HH1 $3,325/month, $39,900/year; HH4 $6,875/month, $82,500/year) and countable resources must be below $10,000. Under MAWD Workers with Job Success, you can stay on MAWD as long as you make less than 600% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
- Documents needed
- Household income from jobs, child support, and other income sources; federal tax filing information; Social Security Numbers and birth dates of household members; current or recent health insurance information; housing and utility expense information; proof of citizenship and identity if you are a U.S. citizen (for example a birth certificate, driver's license, or state ID); non-U.S. citizens must provide documentation showing lawful residence in the U.S.; resource information (bank accounts, vehicles, homes, property, life insurance, etc.).
- How to apply
- If you are already enrolled in Medicaid, contact your caseworker or your local County Assistance Office (CAO) to check MAWD eligibility. If you are not yet on Medicaid, apply for Medicaid and say you are interested in MAWD: in the comments section of a COMPASS application, verbally when applying by phone or in person at a CAO, or in writing on a paper application. You can apply online through COMPASS, by telephone through the Consumer Service Center for Health Care Coverage at 1-866-550-4355, by mail with a paper application sent to your local CAO, or in person.
- Cost
- There is a small monthly premium for MAWD coverage based on a percentage of your monthly income, usually about 5%. The Department of Human Services will send you information each month about how to pay your premium.
- Last verified
- October 23, 2026
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