Being on Medicaid qualifies you for more than healthcare — here is what most recipients do not know about
Getting approved for Medicaid is the beginning, not the end. Being enrolled in Medicaid makes you automatically or near-automatically eligible for a range of other programs that have nothing to do with doctor visits — food assistance, phone and internet discounts, job training that pays for your transportation, help paying Medicare premiums, childcare subsidies, and more. Most Medicaid recipients never claim these benefits because nobody told them they qualified. This page covers the non-medical programs that Medicaid enrollment opens the door to, what each one provides, and how to access it.
For the medical benefits that Medicaid covers directly — prescriptions, dental, vision, equipment, home care — see what Medicaid covers for free: medical care and benefits.
- NOTE: State coverage may vary. What is covered in one state may not be covered in another, and some benefits require a caseworker referral or a finding of medical necessity. When in doubt, ask your Medicaid caseworker directly.
A few benefits worth flagging before diving in: the separate medical benefits page covers some lesser-known items that most recipients also miss — including produce prescriptions that a doctor can write for patients with diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease to get free fruits and vegetables at grocery stores, mileage reimbursement for driving to medical appointments, and baby items like free cribs available through some state Medicaid programs. Those are covered in full at what medical care type programs Medicaid covers for free. The programs below are separate — accessed through benefits offices and enrollment rather than through a doctor or healthcare visit.
Lifeline — discounted phone and internet service
Medicaid enrollment automatically qualifies you for the federal Lifeline program, which provides up to $9.25 off your monthly phone or internet bill. You do not need to prove income separately — Medicaid enrollment is sufficient qualification.
Lifeline can be applied to a cell phone plan or a home internet plan, but only one per household. Many providers offer free or very low-cost basic service to Lifeline customers. To apply, visit https://www.lifelinesupport.org/ to find participating providers in your area, or ask your current phone or internet provider whether they participate.
Lifeline is the active federal program that may even help pay for a cell phone - or allow applicants to get a free device. More on possible free phones from Lifeline partners.
Amazon Prime Access — discounted membership
Medicaid enrollment qualifies you for Amazon Prime Access, which provides a full Amazon Prime membership at $6.99 per month — more than half off the standard $14.99 monthly rate. This covers free two-day shipping, Prime Video streaming, Prime Music, exclusive member deals, and the Amazon Fresh grocery delivery discount at $4.99 per month.
To sign up, go to https://www/amazon.com/primeaccess, select Medicaid as your qualifying program, and upload a photo of your Medicaid eligibility letter or card. Your Medicaid documentation is used only for verification — the monthly fee is charged to a separate payment method. More on how to get discounted Amazon Prime when on benefits.
SNAP food stamps
Medicaid recipients generally meet SNAP income requirements, and in many states Medicaid enrollment triggers automatic SNAP eligibility screening. SNAP provides monthly benefits loaded onto your EBT card to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and many online retailers.
- If you are on Medicaid and not receiving SNAP, it is worth applying — the eligibility overlap is significant and the application is handled by the same state agency that manages Medicaid. In some states you can apply for both at the same time. Learn more about how to apply for SNAP food stamps and there is also a crisis component: see the [emergency expedited SNAP guide.
WIC nutrition assistance
Pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5 on Medicaid typically qualify for WIC — the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program. WIC provides specific food benefits during pregnancy and early childhood, nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health services. The food package covers items like infant formula, milk, eggs, cereal, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.
- WIC is administered separately from Medicaid but uses similar income eligibility criteria. Ask your OB, pediatrician, or Medicaid caseworker about WIC enrollment if you are pregnant or have a child under 5. Find details at the applying for WIC page.
Childcare assistance
Working parents on Medicaid may qualify for state childcare subsidies through programs that use income-based criteria similar to Medicaid. These programs help pay for licensed daycare or family childcare providers, making it possible to work or attend training without the full cost of childcare falling on the family. Eligibility and benefit amounts vary by state and available funding. Ask your Medicaid caseworker or your state's childcare agency about current programs. Learn more about government childcare assistance programs.
Medicare Savings Programs — help paying Medicare premiums
If you are 65 or older, or under 65 with a qualifying disability, and you have both Medicare and Medicaid, Medicaid can pay a significant portion of your Medicare costs. About 8.5 million Americans qualify for both programs and are called dual eligible. Medicaid does this through Medicare Savings Programs — four separate programs administered through state Medicaid offices:
- The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program (QMB) pays your Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Critically, if you are enrolled in QMB, Medicare providers cannot legally bill you for any Medicare cost-sharing at all — not copays, not coinsurance. Many QMB enrollees pay bills they legally owe nothing on because they do not know this protection exists.
- The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary program (SLMB) pays your Medicare Part B premium. While the funding levels change yearly based on government budgets, it is generally over $2,000 per year.
- The Qualifying Individual program (QI) also pays the Part B premium for people with slightly higher incomes who do not otherwise qualify for full Medicaid.
Enrollment in any of these three programs also automatically qualifies you for Extra Help with Medicare Part D prescription drug costs, capping your annual out-of-pocket drug spending.
To apply, contact your state Medicaid office — not Medicare itself. Even if you were told in the past that you do not qualify for Medicaid because of income or assets, the Medicare Savings Program limits are higher and worth applying for separately.
SNAP Employment and Training — free job training with reimbursements
SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) is a federal program available in every state that provides free job training, education, and career support to SNAP recipients. Because Medicaid enrollment typically correlates with SNAP eligibility, most Medicaid recipients are also SNAP recipients and qualify. What makes SNAP E&T more than a job training program is what it pays for while you participate:
- Transportation reimbursement — mileage if you drive to training, bus passes, or gas money, depending on your state and situation.
- Childcare costs during training hours — so that having young children does not prevent participation.
- Work uniforms and safety equipment required for the job you are training for.
- Books, course materials, and supplies.
- Work permit and background check fees when required for employment in a specific field.
Training programs cover industries including healthcare, construction, manufacturing, welding, information technology, hospitality, and skilled trades. Programs typically run 12 to 16 weeks, lead to industry-recognized credentials, and include job placement support. All of this is free to SNAP participants.
Participation is voluntary in most cases. To access SNAP E&T, contact your SNAP caseworker and ask specifically about Employment and Training programs in your area. Given that the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill expanded SNAP work requirements to more adults, enrolling in SNAP E&T satisfies those requirements while building skills and earning reimbursements for costs you may already be paying.
LIHEAP — help paying utility bills
Medicaid recipients typically meet the income thresholds for LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides grants to help pay heating and cooling costs. LIHEAP does not need to be repaid and is administered through your state's human services agency — the same agency that handles Medicaid.
LIHEAP funding is limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis in most states, so applying early in the heating or cooling season matters. Some states also offer weatherization assistance through LIHEAP to reduce long-term energy costs. See the LIHEAP energy assistance program guide.
A note on the 2025 Medicaid work requirements
The Big Beautiful Bill signed July 4, 2025 introduced community engagement requirements for certain Medicaid enrollees — specifically adults ages 19 to 64 enrolled through ACA Medicaid expansion who do not qualify for an exemption. States are required to implement these by January 1, 2027, though some may act sooner. The requirement is 80 hours per month of work, job training, education, or community service.
Exemptions apply for people with disabilities, parents of children under 14, pregnant women, and others. If you receive Medicaid and are subject to these requirements, enrolling in SNAP E&T satisfies them while also providing free skills training and reimbursements. Contact your caseworker for current guidance in your state, as implementation timelines and exemption rules vary.
This page provides general educational information about programs and benefits that Medicaid enrollment may qualify you for. Eligibility, benefit amounts, and program availability vary by state and change over time. Verify what is available in your state by contacting your state Medicaid office, SNAP office, or relevant program administrator before relying on any specific benefit described here.
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
Need help navigating programs?