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MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OF MEDICAID Eligibility Policy and Procedures Manual CHAPTER 200A – Income: ABD Categories Page |53 Effective Month: July 2025 4. Medal of Honor and Special Act of Congress Pension Payments – Pensions NOT Based on Need • A veteran who received a Medal of Honor is eligible to receive a special monthly pension payable as either a single entitlement or with another entitlement in a combined award. This type of pension is payable only to the recipient of the Medal of Honor. • Special Act of Congress pensions are made to individuals in recognition of special acts. When awarded, the terms of the award set the rate, begin date and duration of the payment and whether cost of living adjustments will be applied to the payment. 5. Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits (Special Monthly Pension) Veterans and surviving spouses who are eligible for VA pensions are eligible for higher maximum pension rates if they qualify for aid and attendance or housebound benefits. An eligible individual may qualify if he or she requires the regular aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, or is bedridden, a patient in a nursing home, or is substantially confined to his/her immediate premises because of a disability. VA Aid & Attendance and Housebound Benefits are not income and are excluded from the total VA payment when determining eligibility and Medicaid Income (if applicable). In addition, these payments are not considered third party medical payments. 6. Unreimbursed Medical Expenses (UME) When computing some needs-based pension payments, VA deducts unreimbursed medical expenses from countable income. The VA considers expenses, which exceed 5% of the maximum annual VA pension payment, as UME. This computation may result in an increase in a pension payment or in an extra payment. An increase or extra payment resulting from VA’s consideration of UME is not income and is excluded from the total VA payment when determining eligibility and Medicaid Income (if applicable). UME is not countable as income for institutionalized individuals eligible under an Income Trust.