by Disability Linkage Line
Staff
I receive Supplemental Security
Income (SSI). Will I lose my Medical Assistance if I work?
As long as you receive
at least $1 of SSI, you are eligible to receive Medical Assistance
(MA). If you work enough that your SSI payment goes to zero, you
will likely qualify for continued MA coverage through the work
incentive, called SSI 1619(b). Like those on regular SSI, individuals
receiving MA coverage through SSI 1619(b) can’t
have more than $2,000 in savings or other assets.
Is there a limit on how much I can earn?
In 2008, people on SSI 1619(b) may earn up to $44,799 per year.
Those with high health care expenses (for example, those who need
a lot of personal care assistance) are allowed to earn more.
How do I apply for SSI 1619(b)?
First, talk to your county financial worker. When your SSI is reduced
to $0 due to your earnings, the Social Security Administration (SSA)
notifies the county that you still qualify for MA through SSI 1619(b).
If your financial worker has not received this information, you may
need to talk to your SSA representative at your local SSA office.
Ask them to send a letter to your county financial worker, confirming
that you qualify for continued MA through SSI 1619(b).
What else do I need to know?
Although you no longer
receive an SSI payment and you receive your MA through the county,
being on SSI 1619(b) means you are still connected to the SSA.
It is critical that you continue to respond to all letters and
requests for information you receive from SSA. If you don’t,
you could lose your SSI 1619(b) status and lose your MA.
For more information,
contact the Work Incentives Connection at 651-632-5113 or 1-800-976-6728,
TTY: 651-632-5110 or MN Relay – 711.
The Work Incentives Connection can clarify the effect work will have
on your benefits, uncovering new choices and opportunities for you
to be more in charge of your life. In addition to giving you detailed
information about SSI 1619(b), they can tell you about other work
incentives that may apply to your situation. ![]()
If you have additional questions about community resources,
please call DLL at 1-866-333-2466. DLL provides free, disability-related
information and assistance for Minnesotans. DLL does not endorse
any particular Web site or provider. They assume no responsibility
for transactions between the readers of this article and listed orgs.
