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Compare other countable earned and unearned income to the current SSI or SA income limit. (Use the 1/3 reduced income limit if appropriate.)

1. If the countable income does not exceed the current SSI or SA income limit, determine eligibility excluding RSDI benefits. This person is eligible under Disabled Widow(er)’s Pass-along.

2. If the countable income exceeds the current SSI or SA income limit, the individual is not entitled to Disabled Widow(er)’s Pass-along. a. DO NOT disregard the RSDI income. This person is ineligible under Disabled Widow(er)’s Pass-along.

b. If ineligible, count the current RSDI income and document in NC FAST.

c. Evaluate under other Pass-along groups and all Medicaid programs.

d. The SA level of care the person was in when they lost their SA will determine the maintenance amount for Medicaid pass-along (SA Basic or SCU).

EXAMPLE: (Disabled Widow(er)’s Pass-along) The applicant is a 60-year-old disabled widow who lives at home and has assets worth less than $2,000.

In November 1983, the applicant began receiving SSI benefits. However, in January 1984 they lost those benefits due to a statutory elimination of an additional benefit reduction factor for widow(er)s before age 60 who were entitled to widow(er)s benefits based on disability.

They currently receive countable RSDI widow’s benefits of $1260 ($1280 minus $20 disregard) a month which is over the Categorically Needy income limit for Medicaid. The individual doesn’t receive Medicare. Disregarding the applicant’s entire Social Security payment would make them eligible for SSI under current rules.

$1.280 (widow(er)’s benefit) -$1,280 (disregard total Widow’s benefit)

-$20 (disregard) 0 (countable income is under the current SSI limit)

The applicant is eligible for CN MAD under the Widow(er)’s Pass-along.

F. RECERTIFICATIONS At subsequent recertifications, determine if the individual still qualifies as Pass-along. Evaluate the income of the beneficiary. If the caseworker determines that the a/b is ineligible after evaluating other income, along with any Pass-along, the individual is no longer eligible as Pass-along. If ineligible, count the RSDI income. Evaluate the a/b for all other MAGI and NON-MAGI Medicaid programs.