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130 CMR: DIVISION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Trans. by E.L. 239 Rev. 07/01/21 MASSHEALTH FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY Chapter 520 Page 520.011

520.011: Standard Income Deductions

For community and institutionalized individuals, the MassHealth agency allows certain standard earned- and unearned-income deductions from gross income. These deductions are described in 130 CMR 520.012 through 520.014.

520.012: Community Earned-income Deductions

In addition to business expenses described at 130 CMR 520.010(A) and (B), the MassHealth agency allows the following deductions from the gross earned income of each employed individual or married couple living in the community. These deductions do not apply to the income of a community spouse, as described at 130 CMR 520.026(B). Standard earned-income deductions are applied in the following order:

(A) $20, if there is no unearned income or, if there is unearned income that is less than $20, the balance of the $20 is disregarded from earned income;

(B) the next $65 a month of earned income; and

(C) one-half of the remaining earned income.

520.013: Community Unearned-income Deductions

In addition to business expenses described at 130 CMR 520.010, the MassHealth agency allows the deductions listed below from the total gross unearned income. These deductions do not apply to the income of a community spouse described at 130 CMR 520.026(B). The deductions allowed from the total gross unearned income are the following:

(A) a deduction of $20 per individual or married couple; or

(B) in determining eligibility for MassHealth Standard, a deduction that is equivalent to the difference between the applicable MassHealth deductible-income standard at 130 CMR 520.030 and 133% of the federal poverty level. This deduction includes, and is not in addition to, the $20 disregard. (1) This deduction from gross unearned income is allowed only for persons who (a) are 65 years of age and older; (b) are receiving personal-care attendant services paid for by the MassHealth agency, or have been determined by the MassHealth agency, through initial screening or by prior authorization, to be in need of personal-care attendant services; and (c) prior to applying the deduction at 130 CMR 520.013(B), have countable income that is over 100% of the federal poverty level.