Independent guide · not the SSA
SSI · Medicaid
SSI and Medicaid in your state
In most states, getting SSI leads to Medicaid without a second decision. In others you apply with the state. It depends on the type of agreement your state has with SSA.
“1634” states and DC. SSA makes the Medicaid decision for people who get SSI.
“209(b)” states. Stricter Medicaid rules than SSI; apply with the state.
“SSI criteria” states. Same rules as SSI, but the state decides; apply with the state.
1634 states
Under an agreement with the state, SSA makes the Medicaid decision for people who get SSI and meet certain citizenship or immigration rules. The state still makes its own decisions when someone is not eligible.
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
209(b) states
These states use at least one rule stricter than SSI's. SSI does not by itself mean Medicaid. They must let people subtract medical bills from income to qualify (spend-down).
Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Virginia
SSI criteria states
These states use SSI's rules but make their own Medicaid decisions, so people with SSI apply with the state. The Northern Mariana Islands is also in this group.
Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah
Free tools
Questions people ask
Do I get Medicaid automatically with SSI?
In the 35 “1634” states and DC, SSA makes the Medicaid decision for SSI recipients who meet the citizenship or immigration rules. Elsewhere you apply with the state.
What is a 209(b) state?
A state that uses at least one Medicaid rule stricter than SSI's. Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Virginia are 209(b) states.
Independent guide · not the SSA. Green Tips 1 US is a private guide. We are not the Social Security Administration, we are not part of it, and we do not take applications.
Sources: SSA POMS SI 01715.010, Medicaid and the SSI program (TN 9, 09-26); SSA POMS SI 01715.020 (list of state programs, 2016). Official site, typed by hand: ssa.gov. Read in October 2026; data dates as noted.