7 States Where SSI Eligibility Automatically Qualifies You for Medicaid

By Our Editorial Team | Published August 11, 2026

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An active senior man contentedly potting green plants in a sun-drenched nursery greenhouse. — A smiling senior works in a greenhouse, secure in the knowledge that his benefits are protected.

How Section 1619(b) Protects Your Medicaid Coverage When You Work

Seniors and disabled individuals who return to part-time employment often worry that earned income will eliminate their health insurance. Fortunately, Section 1619(b) of the Social Security Act provides essential protections for working SSI recipients.

Under Section 1619(b), if your earnings rise high enough to reduce your monthly SSI cash payment to $0, you can still keep your Medicaid coverage. To retain Medicaid under this rule, you must meet the following criteria:

You received an SSI cash benefit for at least one month before becoming ineligible due to earnings.
You continue to meet all non-disability SSI requirements (including resource caps).
You need Medicaid coverage to remain employed.
Your total annual earnings stay below your state’s specific 1619(b) threshold (which ranges from approximately $35,000 to over $60,000 depending on state healthcare costs).

This protection guarantees that taking on small income-generating opportunities won’t jeopardize your vital healthcare access.