400.11 COMPUTING COUNTABLE INCOME

Monthly income of an individual or couple applying is one of the factors used to determine eligibility for Medicaid. For ABD purposes, “countable income” is used to determine eligibility. Countable income is the amount of income that remains after eliminating all amounts that are not income and applying all appropriate exclusions. Countable income includes: • Countable earned income – which is the amount of earned income that remains after applying all appropriate earned income exclusions. • Countable unearned income – which is the amount of unearned income that remains after applying all appropriate unearned income exclusions or disregards. As outlined in Chapter 200, Income (200.10, Income Verification) ABD income is counted on a month-to-month basis when received, credited to an account or set aside for use (only certain exceptions apply as discussed in 200.02.05). Income is budgeted using actual monthly income or projected actual monthly income. When income fluctuates, use each month’s anticipated receipts to estimate income for that month. Income is not averaged. This rule applies to income for the current month, the retroactive period and for the next 12-month period.