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Cash Value The amount an insurance company will pay upon the cancellation of a life insurance policy. Categorically Eligible A group that qualifies for medical assistance or food stamps on the basis of certain characteristics such as receipt of SSI or TANF benefits. This means that the group does not have to be tested against asset and some or all income limits to determine eligibility. Child Support Voluntary or court-ordered benefits from the absent parent for support of his/her child(ren). Citizenship The status of being a native born or naturalized citizen of the United States. COBRA Coverage Program The Consolidated Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) authorized the payment of health care premiums for low and moderate-income individuals who are HIV positive or diagnosed with AIDS and who are eligible to receive health insurance coverage from a former employer. Collateral Contact A contact made by the worker to a third party for the purpose of verifying information about an applicant/recipient. Combined Application The application used to apply for Medical Assistance (MA), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), General Assistance for Children (GC), and Food Stamps (FS) benefits. Individuals applying only for Medicaid can often use a different application. Common Law Marriage A marriage that is legally recognized even though there has been no ceremony and there is no certification of marriage. A common-law marriage exists if the two persons are legally free to marry, if it is the intent of the two persons to establish a marriage, and if known in the community as husband and wife. Community Assistance Unit An assistance unit in which all members reside in the community. For MA this includes any member who is temporarily in an acute care hospital. Continued Absence from the Home The absence of a parent or caretaker from a home for: • Desertion or abandonment • Divorce or legal separation • Imprisonment • Voluntary separation involving a detachment of marital and family relationship Continued absence does not include absence of a parent for: • Employment elsewhere when s/he is also meeting the financial needs of the family • On active military duty elsewhere

• Separate living arrangements for the purpose of establishing eligibility for assistance Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) An adjustment to benefit levels to compensate for inflation.