Apple Health Classic Medicaid (SSI-related / Aged, Blind, Disabled)
WA Health Care Authority
"Apple Health" is Washington's name for all of its state medical assistance programs, including Medicaid. "Classic Medicaid" is the part of Apple Health for people who are 65 or older, blind, disabled, or who need long-term care. These programs count your income the same way Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does, rather than using the tax-based rules that apply to younger adults and families. The state Health Care Authority runs most Apple Health programs. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) runs SSI-related coverage, the state-funded Medical Care Services program, and the Medicare Savings Programs that help pay Medicare costs. If you have both Medicare and Apple Health, Apple Health acts as your second layer of coverage and picks up costs Medicare does not, such as deductibles, copays, hearing aids, and dental. It can also pay for long-term care.
Who qualifies
What it covers
Cost
How to apply
How to apply
Apply through Washington Connection
If you are 65 or older, this is the correct portal. Washington Healthplanfinder cannot process your application, and starting there is the most common wrong turn.
- Washington Connection Open
- DSHS 1-877-501-2233
- Form HCA 18-005 Open
- Local DSHS Community Services Office Open
Documents to gather
- Social Security numbers for household members
- Birthdates
- Income information (Social Security award letters, pensions, wages)
- Bank balances, stocks, bonds, trusts, and retirement accounts
- Medicare card and premium information
- Immigration status documents
- Medical bills and expense records
Decided within 45 calendar days, or 60 days if a disability decision is required. If more information is needed, DSHS must tell you within 20 days of your application and give you at least 10 days to provide it.
Worth knowing
People 65 and older must apply through Washington Connection, not Washington Healthplanfinder. Healthplanfinder cannot process the rules for this group, and this is a very common misroute.
This track has a resource test of $2,000 for one person and $3,000 for a couple, effective January 1, 2026. Your home, one vehicle, and certain other assets are usually excluded.
If your income is over the limit but your resources are under it, you may still get coverage through the medically needy spend-down. It works like an insurance deductible: once you have incurred enough medical expenses, coverage starts. The 2026 income level is $994 for one person.
There is no interview for this application, unlike Basic Food.
You can apply for Medicare Savings Programs on the same form, which is worth doing if you have Medicare.
See your next step, the documents you will need, and how to apply. Save it to your account to track your progress.
Where to go from here
Adult Day Center
Adult day centers are daytime programs for adults who need some level of supervision and care but not skilled nursing or rehabilitative therapy. Services typically include personal care, social activities, education, routine health monitoring, therapeutic activities, meals and snacks, transportation coordination, first aid, and emergency care.
Adult Day Health
Adult day health is a daytime program for adults who need skilled nursing care or licensed rehabilitative therapy. Centers provide skilled nursing services, physical/occupational/speech-language therapy, brief psychological or counseling services, plus the personal care, meals, social activities, and health monitoring offered at adult day centers.
Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities (HWD)
Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities lets working adults age 16 or older who are blind or disabled buy into Medicaid. It provides full Apple Health coverage. Unlike most disability-based Medicaid, it has no asset test and no upper income limit. You qualify based on your disability (using the federal disability rules) and being employed, full or part time, including self-employment. You pay a monthly premium that goes up with income but never goes above 7.5% of your total income. American Indians and Alaska Natives pay no premium. While you are enrolled, you can put earnings into a separate designated account that will not count toward your eligibility for other Medicaid programs.
Apple Health Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)
Apple Health LTSS is the set of long-term care programs under Washington Medicaid. It splits into two groups. The first is for people who need help with daily activities but do not need nursing-home level care: Community First Choice, Medicaid Personal Care, and coverage in an assisted living facility. The second uses nursing-home level rules and includes PACE, Roads to Community Living, Hospice, and the home and community based waivers such as COPES, Residential Support, and New Freedom. The Washington Health Care Authority sets the rules. The state's Home and Community Services office handles your application, the CARE assessment of what help you need, and ongoing case management. To qualify you must meet both a financial limit and a finding that you need nursing-home level care (or the equivalent for a waiver). For long-term care you receive at age 55 or older, the state may later recover those costs from your estate.
Not sure this one fits your situation? Your local Area Agency on Aging can check what you qualify for and point you to the right programs, for free. No one will sell your information, and no one will cold-call you.
Source www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-need-medical-dental-or-vision-care
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