Thousands of low-income Californians incur unnecessary medical debt because the State does not explain their rights, according to a recent lawsuit (Lomeli v. Shewry) filed by Western Center and co-counsel in San Francisco Superior Court.

When a low-income person with disabilities becomes eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a federal needs-based cash benefit, she automatically also is eligible for Medi-Cal, which will pay outstanding medical bills incurred in the three months before the date of the SSI application. However, the State fails to give SSI applicants these retroactive Medi-Cal benefits or to notify them of their right to the benefits. This violates both state and federal law, the suit alleges.

Western Center is co-counseling with Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, Bay Area Legal Aid and Board member Steven Atlee and colleagues from Winston & Strawn LLP.