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HOME MAINTENANCE (UNMARRIED INDIVIDUALS ONLY): Allow a home maintenance allowance equal to the MNIL for one (CMA 002 Table of Standards- Med Needy Income) in the following time periods: 1. Month of Entry: The individual entered the facility after the first day of the month (including when entering from a hospital stay if they entered the hospital from the community); or 2. Up to six months: The individual intends to return home/to the community within six months of entering the nursing home (even when housing expenses are not verified during stay); or NOTE: The home maintenance allowance is only allowed when a statement from the client’s doctor/physician confirms the possibility of the client returning to their home/the community within six months of entering the nursing home. 3. Month of Discharge: The client returns home/to the community before the last day of the month. SPOUSAL INCOME MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE (MARRIED INDIVIDUALS): The community spouse income maintenance allowance is the lesser of: 1. $4067 (effective 01/01/2026) less the community spouse's own total gross monthly income (see "Income Attribution" in CMA 500 Income Overview); or a. NOTE: Total gross income includes all income (including gross SSI) the community spouse receives from all sources; income deductions, exclusions, exemptions or disregards do not apply, except in very few situations. Only those payments excluded from all public assistance determinations by other laws are not considered, these include Native American Income and tax stimulus payments. 2. A combination of: a. Community spouse’s shelter expenses (principal residence) that exceed the $811.50 basic shelter allowance (effective 07/01/2026); plus b. $2,705 (Effective 07/01/2026) basic needs standard; less c. Community spouse’s total gross income (see “NOTE” above) NOTE: The community spouse’s income and shelter expenses are used to establish the Community Spouse Income Maintenance Allowance. Changes in these values must be reported to the Department within ten (10) days of knowing of the change. NOTE: If the community spouse applies for Medicaid coverage (such as MSP or medically needy), the CSIMA is countable income in the eligibility determination. SHELTER EXPENSES: Allowable shelter expenses (see "Spousal Income Maintenance Allowance" above) include: