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FS See MA.

DETERMINING INCOME-ELIGIBILITY 8.4 MA For groups categorically eligible for MA (i.e., groups receiving TANF, GC, and/or SSI; see Section 12.3: Who is Categorically Eligible in Part IV), no income-eligibility determination must be made. For a non-categorically eligible group, determine the group's countable income (including income deemed from individuals outside the group) applying applicable disregards (see Section 6.3: Income Disregards and Deductions in this Part). Compare countable income to the income standards listed in Exhibit VI-3: MA Income Standards. If the group's income is below the relevant income standard and the group meets all non-financial eligibility criteria and, if applicable, the asset limit, the group is eligible for MA. If the group is ineligible for MA based on its income exceeding the income-eligibility criteria, the group may be eligible for MA through the spend-down provisions which enable individuals with medical bills to 'spend down' their income to qualify for Medicaid coverage (see Chapter 7: Spend-Down in this Part). TANF The steps for determining whether a group is eligible for TANF differ depending on whether the group is applying for benefits (applicant) or is already receiving benefits (recipient). Exhibit VI-4: TANF Standard of Assistance and Payment Levels shows the income standards SSRs should use when determining eligibility for groups applying for benefits or for groups already receiving benefits. Effective April 1, 2011, there are two different Payment Levels for TANF. Use the Full Payment Level when determining eligibility for groups that have received TANF for 60 months or less. Use the Reduced Payment Level to determine eligibility for groups that have received TANF for 61 months or more (See Part IV, Chapter 13: Lifetime Limits.) Determining Applicant Eligibility The following should be used to determine whether a group applying for benefits is eligible for TANF: • Determine gross countable earned and unearned income (see Chapter 4: Determining Countable Income in this Part). • Apply applicable applicant disregards to calculate net countable income (consisting of net countable earned income and countable unearned income). Applicant disregards consist only of the $160 Work Expense Deduction (per employed group member) and the Child Care Disregard based on out-of-pocket child care expenses (see Section 6.3: Income Disregards and Deductions in this Part). • Compare net countable income to the appropriate Payment Level. If net countable income exceeds the payment level, the group is ineligible for TANF.