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BEM 174 2 of 4 FREEDOM TO WORK (FTW) BPB 2026-016 7-1-2026

BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

• BEM 221, Identity. • BEM 223, Social Security Numbers. • BEM 225, Citizenship/Alien Status. • BEM 257, Third Party Resource Liability. • BEM 265, Institutional Status. • BEM 270, Pursuit of Benefits. FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY FACTORS

Groups An individual eligible under the FTW category is a fiscal and asset group of one. Assets Initial Eligibility The asset limit for the initial eligibility determination is set to the Medicare Savings Program asset limit for an individual in that calendar year. Ongoing Eligibility Once eligibility for FTW is established, countable assets cannot exceed the asset limit for FTW in BEM 400. Accumulated assets that are excluded (not countable) while the participant is enrolled in the FTW program will continue to be excluded if the beneficiary loses eligibility for the FTW program and has a determination of eligibility in another SSI-related Medicaid category. Example: Additions made to a 401(k) account while the participant is working and in the FTW program are excluded from the ongoing FTW asset test and from the eligibility determination for any SSI related MA category such as AD Care, if eligibility for the FTW program is lost. See BEM 400 for jointly owned assets. Divestment Do not apply policy in BEM 405.

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Official source

BEM 174 2 of 4 FREEDOM TO WORK (FTW) BPB 2026-016 7-1-2026

BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

• BEM 221, Identity. • BEM 223, Social Security Numbers. • BEM 225, Citizenship/Alien Status. • BEM 257, Third Party Resource Liability. • BEM 265, Institutional Status. • BEM 270, Pursuit of Benefits. FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY FACTORS

Groups An individual eligible under the FTW category is a fiscal and asset group of one. Assets Initial Eligibility The asset limit for the initial eligibility determination is set to the Medicare Savings Program asset limit for an individual in that calendar year. Ongoing Eligibility Once eligibility for FTW is established, countable assets cannot exceed the asset limit for FTW in BEM 400. Accumulated assets that are excluded (not countable) while the participant is enrolled in the FTW program will continue to be excluded if the beneficiary loses eligibility for the FTW program and has a determination of eligibility in another SSI-related Medicaid category. Example: Additions made to a 401(k) account while the participant is working and in the FTW program are excluded from the ongoing FTW asset test and from the eligibility determination for any SSI related MA category such as AD Care, if eligibility for the FTW program is lost. See BEM 400 for jointly owned assets. Divestment Do not apply policy in BEM 405.