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c. There is no community spouse as defined in I.A.2., above.

d. An assessment has already been done, unless the caseworker learns that it was incorrect. Otherwise, the amount does not change because it is based on assets owned on the first of the month that the first period of continuous institutionalization began -- a fixed point in time.

4. At application, review local agency’s records to determine if an assessment has already been completed.

a. Question the a/b whether an assessment has been completed in another local agency. If so:

(1) Get a copy of that assessment; and

(2) Use the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) established by that assessment unless verified information proves the previous assessment was incorrect.

b. If you learn that the original assessment was incorrect:

(1) A new assessment must be completed as part of the eligibility determination.

(2) Do not reverify those assets that were correctly verified at the point of institutionalization.

(3) Recalculate the amount of the Community Spouse Resource Allowance based on the corrected reserve total for the month the CPI began.

II. PROCEDURES FOR SPOUSAL RESOURCE PROTECTION

Steps One and Two, below, are assessment steps. The specific verification tasks are the same for Step One and Step Three. The verification month many or may not be the same.

• Verification month in Step One depends on when the CPI began.

• Verification month in Step Three depends on the date of application.

A. Step One: Determine Total Countable Reserve for Month That First CPI Began

1. Determine date that one spouse became an institutionalized spouse (began CPI) as defined in section I.A.1., above.