Question: I am 54 and permanent disabled. I have been receiving Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) payments for the past 12 months. I do not have health insurance. I am required to wait another 12 months before I can go on Medicare. Am I eligible for Covered California coverage? Am I eligible for a subsidy or Medi-Cal?

Answer: Yes, you are eligible to purchase coverage through Covered California, and if your income is between 138% and 400% of poverty ($16,400 to $47,520 for an individual) you will qualify for premium tax credits. If your income is less than $16,400 for an individual, you are eligible for Medi-Cal.

Your eligibility for subsidies will end when your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage automatically begins after the two-year waiting period. At that point, you will have to pay the full price for your Covered California coverage or enroll in Medicare Part A, Part B and Part D.