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c. Caseworker leaves a message on an answering machine or with someone at the community spouse's residence and the request is ignored.

C. Assessment Rules

1. Assessment for spousal resource protection and the protected amount (CSRA) is based on total reserve at the point in time that the first CPI began. The month that the first CPI begins is always the month that total reserve must be verified for the assessment.

2. Do an assessment for spousal resource protection only when:

a. One spouse has already begun the first continuous period of institutionalization (CPI);

AND

b. The other spouse is a community spouse as defined in I.A.2., above;

AND

d. One of the following is true:

(1) Assessment is requested by the couple prior to application for Medicaid. This must be kept on file by the local agency and used at application.

OR

(2) Application is made for help with cost of care and no previous assessment has been done.

OR

(3) Application is made for help with cost of care and information obtained later proves the previous assessment was incorrect.

3. When individuals request information, but do not meet the criteria in I.C.2., above, explain only the general policy rules. Do not complete an assessment for spousal resource protection when:

a. The applicant's first CPI began before 10-01-89.

b. Neither spouse has begun the first continuous period of institutionalization (CPI).