Texas QDWI Program — Medicare Part A Premium Help for Disabled Workers
Most conversations about Medicare Savings Programs in Texas focus on QMB, SLMB, and QI — programs for seniors. But there's a fourth tier designed for a specific group: people under 65 with disabilities who went back to work and lost their premium-free Medicare Part A as a result.
Who QDWI Is For
The Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI) program covers the Medicare Part A monthly premium for people who:
- Are under 65
- Were previously entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Returned to work at a level of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), which caused them to lose free Part A coverage
- Still have a qualifying disability
- Meet the income and resource limits
When someone on SSDI returns to work, there's a Trial Work Period followed by an Extended Period of Eligibility. After those expire, premium-free Part A can end. The person still has Medicare — but now they owe a monthly Part A premium of $508 in 2026. That's a significant hit for someone re-entering the workforce.
2026 Income and Resource Limits
QDWI has its own eligibility thresholds, separate from QMB/SLMB/QI:
| Individual | Couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross unearned income limit | $2,660/month | $3,607/month |
| Gross earned income limit | $5,405/month | $7,299/month |
| Resource limit | $4,000 | $6,000 |
The earned income limit is higher than the unearned limit because the program is specifically meant for working individuals. Resources include liquid assets — bank accounts, accessible retirement accounts, stocks — but exclude the primary home, one vehicle, burial plots, and designated burial funds (up to $1,500 each for the applicant and spouse, reduced by any excluded life-insurance face value).
Note that the resource limits for QDWI ($4,000/$6,000) are lower than those for QMB, SLMB, and QI ($9,950/$14,910).
How to Apply
QDWI is administered by the same HHSC MEPD (Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities) unit that handles QMB, SLMB, and QI. Apply using the same channels:
- YourTexasBenefits.com — online application
- 2-1-1 (Option 2) — phone application
- Form H1200-EZ — mailed or delivered to a local HHSC office
The application process is identical to other MSP tiers. You'll need proof of Medicare enrollment, income verification, bank statements, and documentation of the disability and return-to-work history.
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What QDWI Doesn't Cover
QDWI covers only the Part A monthly premium. It does not cover:
- Part B premiums (that's QMB, SLMB, or QI)
- Deductibles or coinsurance
- Prescription drug costs
If a QDWI applicant meets the rules for another MSP category, HHSC can evaluate them for that category. QDWI eligibility requires that the person not already be eligible for Medicaid, so QDWI and QMB cannot be received at the same time.
The Texas Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide covers all four MSP tiers, including QDWI eligibility worksheets and step-by-step application instructions.
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