How Health Benefits Work
- The Basics
- Income-Based MO HealthNet
- Disability-Based MO HealthNet
- MO HealthNet's Ticket to Work Health Assurance
- Medicare
- Employer-Sponsored Coverage
- Individual Coverage on HealthCare.gov
- Next Steps
Try It
MO HealthNet's Ticket to Work Health Assurance
Look at Ticket to Work Health Assurance if:
- You are 16-64 years old
- You have a disability
- You work
- You have limited resources, and
- You are a citizen or eligible immigrant.
Is It Right for You?
MO HealthNet is government-funded health coverage for people in certain situations. You may qualify if you:
- Have low income, no matter how much you have in resources or whether you have a disability. Learn more about income-based MO HealthNet.
- Have low income, low resources, and have a disability, are blind, or are a senior. Learn more about disability-based MO HealthNet.
- Used to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but stopped getting SSI because of work. If so, SSI's 1619(b) rule may mean you can get MO HealthNet. Learn more about 1619(b).
- Have a disability and work, even if your income is higher. MO HealthNet's Ticket to Work Health Assurance program is explained on this page.
Answer the questions on this page to see if you might qualify for Ticket to Work Health Assurance. If so, it’s a good option to consider because it lets you earn a lot more money and pay a monthly premium, low copayments, and no deductible to get MO HealthNet’s comprehensive coverage. You can also download a Ticket to Work Health Assurance brochure.
Do You Meet Ticket to Work Health Assurance’s Basic Requirements?
To qualify for Ticket to Work Health Assurance, you must:
- Be 16 – 64 years old
- Have a disability or a medically improved condition that meets Social Security's standards
- Be working
- Have gross and net income at or below the Ticket to Work Health Assurance limits
- Have available resources at or below the MO HealthNet limits
- Live in Missouri, and
- Be a U.S. citizen or meet specific noncitizen requirements.
If you live in Missouri, are 16 – 64 years old, working, have a disability, are either a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen who qualifies, and your income and resources aren't more than the limits, Ticket to Work Health Assurance might be an option for you.
MO HealthNet’s rules for immigrants:
- Undocumented immigrants do not qualify for full MO HealthNet coverage, but they may qualify for MO HealthNet coverage for emergency services.
- Most immigrants who have been lawfully present for less than five years do not qualify for full MO HealthNet coverage. However, they may qualify for private coverage subsidized by the government.
- Immigrants who have been lawfully present for five years or longer and some other noncitizens who meet specific noncitizen requirements.
Do You Have a Disability That Meets Social Security’s Standards?
To qualify for Ticket to Work Health Assurance, you must either have a disability that meets Social Security’s definition of a disability or have a medically improved condition.
For adults, Social Security says you have a disability if:
- You have a physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments, and
- Your condition has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months.
If you work and no longer qualify for MO HealthNet solely due to medical improvement (your condition getting better), you can also get Ticket to Work Health Assurance coverage.
Note: For Ticket to Work Health Assurance, Social Security’s disability rules related to having earned income above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level do not apply.
If you currently get Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your disability qualifies. If not, a Medical Review Team looks at your medical records and other documents to see if your disability qualifies for Ticket to Work Health Assurance.
If you already have a disability determination from Social Security, think that your disability meets Social Security’s standards, or have a medically improved condition, Ticket to Work Health Assurance might be an option for you.
Do You Have Low Resources?
Resources are money and property you own. For Ticket to Work Health Assurance, you must have less than $5,909 in available resources for an individual, or $11,818 for an eligible couple.
Some resources don’t count towards Ticket to Work Health Assurance’s resource limit, like the home you live in, one car, and money you have in an ABLE account.
If your resources are below the limit, Ticket to Work Health Assurance might be an option for you.
Is Your Income Below Ticket to Work Health Assurance’s Income Limit?
To get Ticket to Work Health Assurance coverage, you must have countable income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). That’s $3,138 per month or less for an individual, $4,258 or less for a couple.
Any money you get in SSI payments does not count as income, and money you spend on health insurance premiums may be deducted. You may also deduct half of your wages and any wages between 250 and 300% of FPG. You could earn as much as $90,840 per year and still qualify!
If your countable income is more than 100% of FPG ($1,255 per month if you are single; $1,704 per month for couples), you have to pay a monthly premium for Ticket to Work Health Assurance. The amount you pay depends on your income, but the most you might have to pay is $156 per month for an individual and $211 for a couple.
Get more information about the Ticket to Work Health Assurance income limits.
If your income is low enough and you meet all other requirements, you should sign up for Ticket to Work Health Assurance. If you can also get employer-sponsored coverage, MO HealthNet may pay the premium for it.
How to Sign Up
To apply for Ticket to Work Health Assurance, you can:
- Apply online at MyDSS.mo.gov; you can also apply at the same time for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance, or other benefits
- Download and print an application (also available in Spanish) and mail it to the address on the form
- Call the Family Support Division Information Center at 1-855-373-4636 to have an application mailed to you, or
- Call or visit your local Family Support Division (FSD) office.
If you need help filling out an application, talk to a benefits specialist.
Staying on Ticket to Work Health Assurance
Usually, once approved for Ticket to Work Health Assurance, you continue to qualify as long as your situation doesn’t change. If your income, immigration status, residency, or household size changes, let your Family Support Division (FSD) office know within 10 days of the change. You can do this in person, by phone, or online. When you report your changes, FSD will tell you if your Ticket to Work Health Assurance premium changes, or your coverage will end or change to another MO HealthNet category.
Learn more
Finding the Right Health Coverage For You
Explore the best health coverage options for you with this interactive tool.
Getting Past the Myths
Get the facts about how benefits support work.
Benefits and Work Estimator
Got a work plan? See how a job may affect your income, benefits, and health coverage.
Get Expert Help
How Work Affects SSI and SSDI
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Call MO Protection and Advocacy Services
1-800-392-8667 -
Call the Show Me Employment Project
1-314-289-4200 -
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) clients: Call
1-877-222-8963 -
Call the Ticket to Work Help Line
1-866-968-7842
MO HealthNet
- Contact your Family Support Division (FSD) office
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Call the FSD Info Center
1-855-373-4636
Medicare
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Call Medicare
1-800-633-4227 -
Call Missouri SHIP
1-800-390-3330
Work Preparation
- Contact your Vocational Rehabilitation office
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Contact Rehabilitation Services for the Blind
1-800-592-6004 -
Contact your local Missouri Job Center
1-888-728-5627