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for protecting resources for a spouse living in the community when the a/b began a continuous period of institutionalization on or after October 1, 1989. a. Couple Apart More Than 12 Consecutive Months If the couple had been apart for at least 12 consecutive months when one of them becomes institutionalized, compare the available resources of the a/b to the resource limit for one. Evaluate jointly owned assets for availability as specified in IV.B. - Assets Jointly Owned With a Non-Financially Responsible Individual. b. Couple Apart Less Than 12 Consecutive Months If the couple were living together or separated less than 12 consecutive months, deduct the Community Spouse Resource Amount from the total combined countable resources of the couple. Compare the remainder to the resource limit for one. See MA-2231, Community Spouse Resource Protection, for CSRA. NOTE Do not count a prior period of institutionalization as part of the 12 month period of separation unless the couple was legally separated during this time. c. CPI Prior to 10/1/89 If the current continuous period of institutionalization (see MA-2270, Long Term Care Need and Budgeting, for definition) began before 10/1/89: (1) The legal spouse of the institutionalized a/b is not financially responsible beginning with the month after month of entry into a nursing level of care. (2) Compare the total available assets of the institutionalized a/b to the resource limit for one. (3) Do not apply spousal resource protection procedures. (4) Evaluate any jointly owned assets for availability as specified in IV.B. below. 5. Long Term Care - Both Spouses Institutionalized a. Spouses In Separate LTC Rooms The spouses are not financially responsible for each other. Compare available resources owned by each spouse who is an a/b to the resource limit for one. In addition: 11