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MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OF MEDICAID Eligibility Policy and Procedures Manual CHAPTER 200A – Income: ABD Categories Page |8 Effective Month: July 2025 200A.01 ABD INCOME INTRODUCTION This chapter discusses sources and treatment of income for both the ABD (aged, blind and disabled) and MAGI programs. • Eligibility for the ABD Medicaid programs is based on the rules used to decide eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In accordance with 42 CFR 435.601, Medicaid is required to use SSI financial eligibility requirements unless a subsequently issued Medicaid statute or regulation supersedes SSI policy. In addition, 1902(r)(2) of the Social Security Act allows states to apply income rules to certain Medicaid categories that are more liberal than the SSI program. *Note: MAGI income rules begin with 200B.01 later in this chapter. 200A.01.01 SSI INCOME RULES The following income rules are based on SSI income policy: • Income is counted on a monthly basis. • An individual who has too much income in a particular month is not eligible for Medicaid for that month. • Income may include more or less than is actually received. For example: • Expenses of obtaining income (less) • Garnishment (more) • Gross earnings before any deductions (more) • Not all income counts in determining eligibility. 200A.01.02 LIBERALIZED INCOME RULES Certain liberalized income policies apply to the following categories of eligibility: • Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) • Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB) • Qualifying Individuals (QI) • Working Disabled (WD) • Healthier Mississippi Waiver (HMW)