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Chapter: 1600 Assets Program: MSSI, SFP 22

Sources of verification of disaster assistance include official government notices, disaster loan or grant documents, and the individual's financial records of deposits, withdrawals and expenditures. 1640.0533 Foreign Property (MSSI, SFP) Assets in a foreign country owned by an individual residing in the state are subject to the same eligibility rules and limits as domestic property. The individual must provide verification of the status, value, and ownership of foreign property.

Whenever possible, verification is provided through documents the individual possesses. If the individual does not possess the necessary documents, it may be necessary to write for them. 1640.0534 Home (MSSI, SFP) Home property is excluded as an asset, regardless of its value, if it is the individual's principal place of residence. Only one residence can be excluded under this provision.

A home is any shelter in which the individual has an ownership interest and that is used by the individual (and spouse, if any) as the principal place of residence. The home may be either real or personal property, fixed or mobile, and located on land or water. The home includes all the land that appertains to it and the buildings located on such land. Houses, cooperative and condominium apartments, mobile homes, motor homes, and houseboats are examples of shelters which may qualify for exclusion.

Home ownership and property are discussed in passage 1640.0304, Ownership of Real Property. If the home property cannot be excluded under this home exclusion policy, refer to 1640.0544 if the property is income producing.

Home equity is not an asset test. Policy is discussed in 1640.0307.04. 1640.0537 Good Faith Effort to Sell (MSSI, SFP) Property may be temporarily excluded if the individual is making a good faith effort to sell it at fair market value.

The eligibility specialist must verify that the property is for sale and that a reasonable offer has not been declined. Verification may be obtained through collateral contacts or documentation such as a listing in a newspaper or with a real estate broker.

For SSI-Related Medicaid Program, if the property is alleged to be unmarketable, the individual (or the designated representative) must obtain statements from two different types of knowledgeable sources in the geographic area verifying that the property is not saleable due to a specific condition.

This policy applies if the home cannot be excluded as the individual's principal place of residence. 1640.0538 Home as Means of Self-Support (MSSI, SFP) If the property is not excluded as a home but is used to produce income needed for personal maintenance, it is excluded regardless of value for MSSI, SFP. Refer to passage 1640.0544. 1640.0542 Home Verification Requirements (MSSI, SFP) The individual must provide the following information:

1. the name of property owner; 2. property included as the home; 3. the legal description of home property; and 4. affirmation that home is currently occupied or the reason why it is not occupied.