# SSI 1619(b) — keeping Medicaid while working

1619(b) is one of SSA's strongest work incentives. State thresholds vary widely — set by SSA state-by-state — because they factor in each state's average Medicaid cost per SSI recipient. Ask your local SSA office for your state's current threshold.

**Direct answer:** Yes — under Section 1619(b), if your SSI cash payment stops because of earnings but you remain otherwise eligible, you keep Medicaid until your earnings exceed your state's individual threshold amount.

**Direct answer:** Yes — under Section 1619(b), if your SSI cash payment stops because of earnings but you remain otherwise eligible, you keep Medicaid until your earnings exceed your state's individual threshold amount.

## Can I keep Medicaid if my SSI stops because I went to work?
1619(b) is one of SSA's strongest work incentives. State thresholds vary widely because they factor in each state's average Medicaid cost per SSI recipient. SSA publishes the current state-by-state 1619(b) threshold amounts each year; ask your local SSA office or check SSA's SSI work-incentives page for your state's figure.

## Where does this rule live in SSA's regulations?
SSA publishes the SSI eligibility rules on the SSI Eligibility page and work incentives at SSA's Red Book. When SSA's public page and this article differ, ssa.gov controls.

## What if I'm not sure I qualify?
Apply anyway. SSA determines eligibility on the facts of your case, and application itself protects the earliest possible filing date. There is no penalty for applying and being denied.

## Sources
- SSA — Understanding SSI Eligibility — https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-eligibility-ussi.htm
- SSA — 2026 SSI Federal Payment Amounts — https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSI.html
- SSA — SSI Spotlights — https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/

## Related questions
- [SSI — Supplemental Security Income Complete Guide (2026)](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssi)
- [SSI vs SSDI](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssi-vs-ssdi)
- [The SSDI Application Process](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/application-process)
- [SSDI Appeals & Reconsideration](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/appeals)
## Topics
- SSI vs SSDI — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssi-vs-ssdi

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