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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 09/2020

MSA ASSISTANCE STANDARDS

0020.21

-- Purchases, prepares and eats meals separately from others in the household.

AND

-- Has exclusive use of part of the residence (such as a bedroom).

A person who lives with others may or may not be receiving a reduced SSI benefit due to receiving In-kind Support and Maintenance (ISM).

A person who lives with others and receives SSI based on the $522 FBR (Federal Living Arrangement B) cannot be considered a separate household.

MSA COMMUNITY STANDARDS

The standard for MSA applicants and participants who live independently in the community is the total of the client's MSA assistance standard and any ongoing special needs allowances. See 0023 (Special Needs Payments). If a married couple lives together and both partners are applying and have an MSA basis of eligibility, combine their incomes to determine eligibility and benefit level. Use the highest appropriate standard.

A county may set its own standards at a higher level than the State Standards, but there is no State aid for the extra costs.

MSA MONTHLY ASSISTANCE STANDARDS

Person living alone

$844.00 Person living with others

$614.66 Married couple living alone

$1,266.00 Married couple living with others

$847.34 Married couple living alone (pre-1994)

$1,281.00 Married couple living with others (pre-1994). $1,110.34

APPLY THE $844 LIVING ALONE STANDARD WHEN:

● A single person receives SSI benefits based on the $783 FBR and lives alone.

● A single person does NOT receive SSI solely due to excess income and lives alone.

● A single person lives with others and is eligible for MA waivers, a GRH plan, MSA Housing Assistance, or is a separate household from others residing at that address.

● A single person at the SSI $783 FBR due to a presidential disaster declaration and/or being homeless.

● A married person lives with his or her ineligible spouse and receives SSI benefits based on the $783 FBR or does not receive SSI due to excess income.

● A married person lives with an ineligible spouse and receives SSI benefits based on the $522 FBR and is eligible for MA Waivers, a GRH plan, or a shelter special need.