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longer qualify for coverage under the above provision (§ 1.6.4(A)(4) of this Part) but need coverage to continue working. This pathway preserves Medicaid eligibility when a working person’s total countable income, both earned and unearned, including deemed income, is too high for an SSI cash payment. This pathway provides “Medicaid While Working” protection when SSI cash benefits are no longer available. Medicaid health coverage is preserved for both members of a couple if each is working, and their total combined income would result in the loss of SSI cash benefits, even if the income of one (1) would not alone trigger non- payment status. However, a non-working spouse has no protection and loses Medicaid when the earned income of their spouse exceeds the limits for SSI cash benefits. For Community Medicaid health coverage through this pathway, the following apply: a. Eligibility Criteria. A person must have received an SSI cash payment based on disability, including under 42 U.S.C. § 1382h(a), for at least one (1) month in the most recent SSI benefit period, and (1) Continue to meet the disability criteria for SSI payments except for earnings; (2) Have insufficient earnings to replace the SSI/SSP cash benefit, Medicaid health coverage, and/or personal care or attendant services that would be available if they did not have such earnings; and (3) Need Medicaid health coverage to continue to work or obtain employment. b. Determination process. As long as the beneficiary meets the eligibility criteria for Medicaid While Working, and income remains below the 42 U.S.C. § 1382h(b) threshold for Rhode Island, which changes annually and can be obtained on the Social Security Administration’s website, no income or resource standards apply. c. Continuing Eligibility. Medicaid coverage for members of this group is automatic and continues until ended by the SSA for any reason for which it may be granted or income exceeds the threshold for Rhode Island. d. Agency responsibilities. The SSA determines initial and continuing eligibility and notifies the EOHHS on a monthly basis of beneficiaries who qualify in this coverage group. The EOHHS is responsible for determining whether beneficiaries who no longer qualify, are eligible for Medicaid through an alternative eligibility pathway.