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government determines the monthly and maximum amounts based on variety of factors and adjusts the figures annually to reflect increases in the cost of living. The amount of the exclusion is set by the Federal government and updated on an annual basis, as described in Part 40-00-3 of this Title. c. Work-Related Expenses of Blind Persons – Earned income used to meet any expenses reasonably attributable to the earning of income by a person who is blind and under age sixty-five (65) or received SSI as a blind person for the month before reaching the age of sixty-five (65). Further, expenses may be disregarded if the person has a PASS. The amounts must be reasonable and not exceed the earned income of the blind person or a blind spouse. See references on PASS, including types of expenses that qualify for this disregard in Part 40-00-3 of this Title. d. RI Works Under a PASS. RI Works payments administered by the RI Department of Human Services under a PASS are excluded. However, RI Works payments not excluded under a PASS are countable income. 2. Community Medicaid Medically Needy – Coverage is available to elders and adults with disabilities with high medical expenses who have income above the EAD countable income limit of one hundred percent (100%) of the FPL, but otherwise meet all of the general eligibility requirements for Medicaid as set forth in Part 40-05-1 of this Title. Work related disregards identified in § 1.6(B) of this Part are taken into account when determining financial eligibility for the Community Medicaid medically needy pathway. Beneficiaries have the option of consulting with an agency eligibility specialist when considering whether the Medically needy pathway provides them with the level Medicaid benefits and coverage they need while continuing to work. The Sherlock or Ticket to Work pathway may be a more appropriate option in some instances due to the following: a. Scope of coverage. Until excess income over the eligibility limit has been exhausted during the six (6) month spenddown period, beneficiaries who choose the medically needy pathway are responsible for paying out-of-pocket for all health care expenses that are not covered by a third party such as Medicare or a commercial plan, including for any necessary work supports. Expenses associated with third party coverage, such as premiums, co-pays and deductibles do count toward the spenddown. See Subchapter 05 Part 2 of this Chapter on the Medically needy eligibility pathway for additional information. b. Continuing eligibility. Renewal of Medically needy eligibility and the initiation of another spenddown period may require a