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MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OF MEDICAID Eligibility Policy and Procedures Manual CHAPTER 200A – Income: ABD Categories Page |58 Effective Month: July 2025 Augmentation An augmented benefit is an increase in benefit payment to a veteran or a veteran’s surviving spouse or higher VA income eligibility limits because of a dependent. An augmented payment includes a designated VA beneficiary’s portion and one or more dependent portions. The augmented payment is usually issued as a single payment to the veteran or veteran’s surviving spouse. The designated beneficiary’s portion is that part of an augmented benefit that is attributable to the veteran or the veteran’s surviving spouse. It is VA income to the designated beneficiary. The dependent’s portion is VA income to the dependent, provided the dependent resides with the designated beneficiary. The dependent’s portion is not a support payment from the designated beneficiary. An absent dependent’s portion of an augmented VA benefit is not VA income to either the dependent or the designated beneficiary. This is true even if the designated beneficiary continues to receive the absent dependent’s portion. The dependent’s portion of a VA benefit is not VA income to an absent dependent unless he receives it directly as an apportioned payment. Any portion of the benefit retained by the designated beneficiary is a countable resource. Example: Raymond Jones is a Medicaid recipient. He has one dependent, Robert Jones, 17, who does not reside with him. Mr. Jones’ VA pension is $450 per month, which includes a portion for Robert. The VA verified Mr. Jones’ portion of the VA payment as $400. This is the amount of VA income counted for Mr. Jones. The $50 augmented payment is not counted. Other Payments to Absent Dependents Any payment made from the designated beneficiary directly to an absent dependent is unearned income in the form of a gift, a support payment, or other income, not VA income.